If you enjoy wine and want to improve your wine-tasting experience, you probably already know to pay attention to various factors.
You’d probably determine the bottle you purchase based on the brand, the year, and how long the wine has been aged. You may already have a specific taste you prefer. But did you know that the glass you drink your wine from also affects the experience?
The glass you serve your wine in can have a big impact on the way it tastes. The glass you choose can even change the way you enjoy your wine. There are a lot of different types of wine glasses available, and they all serve different purposes. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right wine glass for you.
Glass shape and size
The glass you choose can make a big difference in the way you enjoy your wine. Wine glasses come in a plethora of designs, each with a slightly different bowl shape, stem, and rim thickness. Typically, wine glasses are divided according to the type of wine they are made to hold.
White wine will typically be served in smaller bowl-shaped glasses than the ones used for red wine as this will bring the wine closer to your nose improving the aromatic experience.
A red wine glass has a slightly different shape altogether. Larger bowls with more height and a wider opening allow for improved aromatics and better dissipation of ethanol and aeration of the wine to soften tannins.
Independent of shape and size, always make sure the glass is properly clean (and free of soap residue) before you pour the wine into it.
Crystal vs Glass
The material that a wine glass is made of also makes a difference. The debate over whether crystal or glass provides the best wine-tasting experience has been going on for a very long time in the wine industry. So, what distinguishes crystal from glass? Crystal contains minerals (typically lead) making it a stronger material that can be thinner than glass but still retain durability.
Wine glasses cut from glass are not as thin as those made from crystal. In order to maintain their durability, thicker cuts are required. The glasses’ ability to be washed in a dishwasher or by hand is also determined by variations in the material and cut. There is no winner at the end of the day. It all comes down to personal preference and budget.
The right wine
Besides the glass you choose, you obviously need to consider the wine you’re about to drink.
Portugal has one of the most luxurious wine production industries in the world. The climatic conditions and the land quality are exquisite and perfect for the production of many top-quality grape varieties (either white or red wine). If you’re travelling to the Algarve, you’ll want to visit Quinta dos Vales and try their amazing wine in a range that varies from 15 different grapes. In case you’re not visiting any time soon, they also have an online shop that ships wine internationally, bringing you top-quality Portuguese wine to the comfort of your own home.
Shop here: Quinta dos Vales wine.
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