Glasses and goblets are symbolized as symbols that bring prosperity to the home. They are credited with attracting abundance and well-being. They are often bought as gifts.
Since the first appearance of glass goblets, the diversity of their structure has multiplied. Initially, they had a regular shape. Then, glasses of different shapes began to be used for different wines. This concept was based on a scientific explanation that clearly formulated the need to distribute types of glasses based on the difference in wine drinks.
Content
- How Wine Glasses Came to Be
- Does the shape affect the taste of the drink?
- What are the features of white wine glasses?
- Key Differences Between White and Red Wine Glasses
- How to choose the right glass for white wine
- How to hold a wine glass
- Caring for wine glasses
- VIDEO: What do glasses for serving white wine look like?
How Wine Glasses Came to Be
The fact that there are different glasses for white and red wines is knowledge acquired recently. The concept of a "wine glass" has existed in the world since the second half of the 18th century. It was introduced into circulation by the Austrian glassmaker Klaus Riedel, who was part of a famous dynasty of glassmakers at that time. Riedel came up with the idea of creating classic shapes for glasses, which are already used in the modern world at wine tastings, receptions, and other events.
Does the shape affect the taste of the drink?
The above-mentioned Austrian master glassmaker Riedel made another revolutionary discovery. He stated, and this was later confirmed by modern sommeliers, that the creation of aroma and taste of wines is influenced by different shapes of glasses. The famous glassmaker came up with the idea of abandoning the use of carved goblets made in different colors. He replaced them with products made of thin-walled, unpainted glass with an extraordinary effect on the taste of wine.
Riedel's concept was only recognized in the 20th century. It began to be taken into account by winemakers, sommeliers, and ordinary wine lovers.
The influence of the shape on the taste of the drink is also explained scientifically. Biologists claim that the receptors located at the tip of the tongue perceive the sweet taste of the drink. The larynx has receptors that perceive the bitter taste. The central part of the tongue recognizes the salty taste. The sides of the tongue are given the ability to feel the acid in the mouth.
According to chemists, the shape of wine glasses affects aromatic compounds (phenols) and their quantity. Based on this, it is recommended to use open and wide glasses for red wines, since this way the wine is saturated with oxygen. The wider the glass, the more aromatic compounds come into contact with oxygen.
A glass with a certain shape, when a drink is poured into it, can be directed so that the person drinking the wine can appreciate its taste.
Taste sensations are directly influenced by:
- glass processing;
- thickness and diameter of the glass.
What are the features of white wine glasses?
A wine glass used for white wine is smaller in size than a similar product intended for red wine. A bowl for a white drink has a narrower middle. The volume of such glasses does not exceed 350 ml. This is due to the influence of temperature when serving wine. White grape wine is served chilled. Since the glass has a small volume, the wine is drunk from it faster. This does not allow the drink to gradually warm up.
White wines have the quality of high acidity. The best option is a wine glass, reminiscent of a champagne flute.
White wine glasses can be up to 25.7 cm high. This is quite a large height. Therefore, the glass is not filled completely. The hand holding it should feel light and free to move the fingers.
Due to the elongated shape of the glass for dry white wine, the wine is first felt by the tongue area with a large number of softening receptors. Then the sour taste is perceived.
Key Differences Between White and Red Wine Glasses
Wine glasses designed for serving red wine have a wide bowl with a narrowing at the top. This allows a person to experience the entire aromatic bouquet.
These glass products include two varieties: "Bordeaux" and "Burgundy". Their recommended loading is not less than 600 ml.
The created configuration is considered not accidental. It allows to catch the initial aroma, which got into the widened part at the base of the bowl, with a gradual concentration of aroma and taste in the upper zone.
If you listen to the opinion of professionals, then for a red wine sample it is worth using glasses that are made of ordinary thin colorless glass. This helps to evaluate the saturation of the color range of the drink. Here we can mention the Cecilia and Viola-Bar wine glasses. The volume of the first type is not less than 600 milliliters. The second type is recommended to be filled with the drink by 1/3.
The main difference between wine glasses of different colors is their shape. It has its own function. It allows the glasses to have different ratios of the drink to oxygen when filled with wine.
Red wines have a different richness than white wines, which is why they are barrel-shaped and have a narrow neck.
White wines are light, with a less intense aroma. Hence, there is no need for a narrow neck in a white wine glass made with straight walls.
How to choose the right glass for white wine
To comply with etiquette, it is recommended to use glasses of three varieties at ceremonial events, banquets, and other events. Professional tasters, as opposed to ordinary people, usually use more than 10 varieties.
For white wines, wine glasses are used. They are sometimes confused with goblets, but there is a difference between these types. The concept of "Glass" is a concept that covers all products of the corresponding types, the purpose of which is to be a vessel for pouring various alcoholic beverages.
Many glassware items are used to pour juices, wines, and other strong and weak drinks. However, sparkling wines, which include champagne, are not served in such items.
A wine glass is used for this drink. This is a type of glass, the idea of which belongs to the French. A wine glass with an elongated narrow bowl and a tapered edge. A thin stem goes down from the edge.
When choosing glasses for white wines, you should pay attention to their shape. As reported above, such a glass resembles a Bordeaux in shape and its main difference is its capacity of up to 350 ml.
White wines are served at a lower temperature. For this reason, wine glasses, glasses intended for pouring white wine, have a different shape. They have a smaller volume. Wines poured into wine glasses are drunk faster and do not warm up between sips.
The difference between wine and champagne is in the level of filling the cups. In a wine glass the drink is poured to the top, and in a goblet it is half full or 2/3 full.
How to hold a wine glass
If you want, this science is easy to learn. For this, there are rules of etiquette and one of their points is related to the variety of moments regarding wine glasses. In addition to defining the characteristics of wines and their use in various situations, one of the points is devoted to how to handle glasses when drinking. Among a number of tips, the following can be highlighted:
- The glass is taken by the stem and held with three fingers. The pinky finger sticking out, as is often shown in Hollywood movies, is a mistake. It is better to keep the fingers slightly bent.
- The glass of wine should be held lightly and securely in the hand. It should not be allowed to swing.
There are also taboo moments. One of them is considered quite common when the glass is held by the stand. The same can be said about grasping the expanding base.
At the same time, there are acceptable exceptions to the rules. It is permissible to serve wine in such a way that the person for whom the glass is intended can comfortably take it.
Caring for wine glasses
If you know how to care for glass products, you can achieve high-quality transparency of the walls, make them shine, and remove the smell of wine residue.
For fragile glasses made of crystal, washing with a dishwasher is contraindicated. These items are cleaned manually, in warm water, using soft products (brushes). To achieve an effective shine, when rinsing, mix water with a couple of drops of lemon juice or add vinegar.
Drying of glasses is performed by placing them with the bowl down. You can use a special towel for drying dishes or dry the glasses on a regular towel. After drying, the glasses are doused with hot steam and wiped. A microfiber cloth or clean linen cloth is used.
