Does a glass of wine make a difference when it comes to drinking wine? The simple answer is Yes, but the difference depends on your ability to taste and smell. I went to a wine tasting at a local winery when they were tasting Norton wine (full bodied red) using 2 different wine glasses, 1 Riedel (designed for Norton wine) and a standard tasting glass. Now I’m not a sommelier and I don’t have the taste buds or nose to become one, but I was able to perceive a noticeable difference when tasting Norton in a Riedel glass versus the tasting glass, so much so that after a Taste or two I poured the Remaining wine from the tasting glass in the Riedel glass.
When you go to a chain of restaurants and order wine, you will likely get a standard wine glass, which will be used for both red wine and white wine, and many times it is a small glass, which is filled to the brim. This is my pet reason, I suppose they are concerned about customer complaints about not receiving a full glass, but this leaves no room to spin the wine. 4 ounces is considered a full glass, so don’t be shocked when a restaurant fills the glass completely because it’s still only 4 ounces. When you go to a fine dining restaurant, you should be presented with a wine glass that appropriately addresses the type of wine (red or white) and large enough to turn to your heart’s content (still 4 ounces).
Sorry, I rambled on. When shopping for wine glasses for yourself, buy one with a bowl large enough that you can swirl the wine and appreciate the aroma. Leave 2/3 of the glass to stir. So do I need a different glass for each type of wine? I don’t think so, but others may not agree. It depends on the type of wine you drink, for red wine drinkers I would recommend a good set of Bordeaux glasses, for white wine drinkers a good set of Chardonnay glasses. Good wine glasses do not have a rounded rim / hump at the top of the bowl and are not heavy. If you really want to enjoy all aspects of wine, it is worth investing in some good quality wine glasses.
Depending on how often you drink champagne or fortified wines, you might consider these specialty glasses, but if it’s once a year on New Years, it’s probably not worth it. If you want a special wine glass for a specific type of wine, they are available, I have some.
Riedel glasses are well known and have a great reputation, but they are expensive. Ravenscroft glasses are lead-free glass and are of high quality, also with a great reputation but less expensive than Riedel glasses.
For home use, buy the glasses you will use most often and expand from there if you wish. You don’t need a lot just for yourself or very small parties with people who appreciate wine. Use inexpensive glasses for large parties, you won’t be worried if they break.
