What Shaped Glass Do You Use for White Wine?
While many wine drinkers are aware that temperature and aeration affect the taste of wines, some overlook the influence of the wine glass itself. Different shaped glasses can emphasize certain aspects of the wine tasting experience, making it an important consideration when serving wine. White wine glasses have certain recognizable characteristics suited to white wines. Does this Spark an idea?
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Capacity
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White wine glasses tend to be smaller than red wine glasses because they have less need for aeration than big, full-bodied reds. Ten to 12 oz. is sufficient for a white wine glass while red wine glasses may have a capacity of 16 oz., 24 oz. or more.
Bowl
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White wine glasses also feature a narrower bowl than their red wine counterparts. A smaller bowl reduces the amount of air contact with the wine, which slows both aeration and warming of the wine.
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Opening
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The opening of a white wine glass narrows toward the top, resulting in a tulip-shaped silhouette. The narrow opening helps enhance the sweetness and delicate aroma that many white wines are known for. A small opening is especially important for sparkling wines because it contains the bubbles for a longer period as with a champagne flute.
Rim
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The rim of the glass is important because different glass thicknesses impart different characteristics on the tongue. A white wine glass should be thin, which helps the wine flow smoothly and easily onto your tongue.
Stem
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White wine is meant to be served in stemware, partly because it is served chilled. Stemless wine glasses are available and may be visually appealing, but holding onto the glass transfers heat from your hand to the glass and the wine. Your hand also blocks your view of the color and clarity of the wine and leaves fingerprints.
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References
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