Recently I attended a wine tasting at the Riedel showroom in New York City. Riedel has been creating fine crystal and glassware for 300 years (!) and none other than 11th-generation family member, Maximilian Riedel (pictured below), conducted this very informative session.
If you think that a classic, balloon-shaped glass is fine for all white wines and a taller, narrower wine glass is standard for all reds, then think again. Under Maximilian’s guidance, we discovered that when a wine is served in the incorrect glass shape it loses its aroma and taste significantly. I couldn’t get over how different a Riesling tasted in a Chardonnay glass. It was less fruity and much more acidic. The same was true for reds: A Pinot Noir lost its bouquet and rich cherry, plum taste when served in a Cabernet glass. Pure alcohol was the primary scent and it tasted dry and bitter. Not the way to enjoy a glass of wine!
You can bet that I am now a devotee of serving wine in its correct glass. Brides-to-be, what better time to stock up on the right glasses than now? Add them to your registry and also be sure to include a decanter on your list. According to Maximilan—who has designed some fantastic Riedel decanters—decanters allow wine to aerate, which provides a much richer, truer taste.
Here are the glass shapes to look for:
(Pictured from left to right: Montrachet/Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet, Syrah-Shiraz, Pinot Noir,Champagne, Martini. These glasses can be purchased at Glassware.Riedel.com).
Choosing A Shape:
- Think about what types of wine you drink most frequently and register for shapes that complement them. If you love Riesling and your fiancé adores Pinot Noir, then register for both of those glasses and forgo Chardonnay or Bordeaux glasses.
- If you don’t have enough space for Champagne flutes, then serve Champagne in the Pinot Noir glass, which is perfect for a taste of bubbly.
- Go to wineglassguide.com for more help. You can choose from a list of wines and then discover the best glass shapes to match them with, in a variety of price points.
Basic Wine Tips:
- For maximum enjoyment, pour between 3-5 ounces (approximately two fingers held up to the side of the glass). Remember: The smaller the glass, the smaller the pour.
- Contrary to popular belief, white wine should not be served ice-cold. Remove the bottle from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before drinking to ensure that the aromas and flavors are in full bloom.
- When drinking red wine, briefly chill the bottle by putting it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes or in an ice bucket for 7-10 minutes. If the wine is too warm, the flavor will be dulled.
- Store wine horizontally so that the liquid touches the cork, which will keep the cork moist. A dried-out cork can shrink and allow air to enter the bottle, thereby ruining the wine inside. Always make sure that you store your wine in a cool, dark place.
- Finally, taste wine before serving it to ensure that it’s in acceptable condition…and enjoy!
— Diane Forden
- from-dianes-desk's blog
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