I'm not a fan of confusion or complexity in wine...or glassware.
Please check out this IntoWine.com article where I discussed the issue with the lovely and talented Nancy Parode (I'm quoted on Page 2). Following in the footsteps of my dad, and oft quoted and controversial education specialist, I am, of course, the voice of dissent in this otherwise very positive view of Riedel stemware. Check it out...
INTOWINE.com ARTICLE:
In my world, I think you need 3 types of glasses (4 if you're really into wine):
1. A
white glass that tapers at the top to concentrate aromas and deliver them better to your snout.
2. A red glass that has a big bowl and a wide rim so you can aerate that puppy and unlock the aromas in the glass with a good swirl.
3. A Champagne flute if you drink bubbles. The narrowness of the glass preserves the bubbles and concentrates the luscious scents.
The 4th optional choice -- if you are really into red wine, you could get a big ass Bordeaux glass to allow for in-glass decanting and full aeration, but it's not really necessary...the Burgundy glass will work fine as long as you swirl well.It shouldn't be that complicated. I mean, who among us has more room than they know what to do with in his/her kitchen? Few, I think. We certainly don't need separate glasses for everything we drink, as some may tell you.
Purchase good quality glass and stick to 3 shapes.
Now you're good to go.
5 comments:
I agree on the less is more philosophy when it comes to stemware.
We use three different glasses.
1 - A Pinot Noir glass, which yes, is made by Riedel.
2 - A Zinfandel glass for everything else and once again, Riedel.
3 - Flutes (trifecta for Riedel) for bubbles, though I have enjoyed them just as well in small white wine glasses. Overly aggressive bubbles can really soften and open up for a more enjoyable experience.
4 - (So I lied) is a dessert wine glass, but I rarely get the chance to drink them and really, flutes work fine for them in my opinion. Then again, I really only drink late harvest style dessert wines.
Kevin,
I like Riedel but I've broken literally every single glass I've ever had from them. The crystal is so fine that you really need to handle it with kid gloves to make sure it doesn't break.
I'm too much of a klutz. I use their other, acquired line -- Spiegelau. Much thicker and easier to handle in my opinion!
Still --glad we're on the same page. Too many glasses = too much confusion!
Thanks for the comment!
Elizabeth
I'm kind of crazy with my wine glasses. I don't think I've got anything resembling a matching set anymore, except for maybe five identical Champagne flutes. I like to look for neat glasses on clearance at places like Marshall's or Tuesday Morning.
I always tell people that whenever you're about to purchase a wine glass or set, just go ahead and imagine each of them breaking. Because it's going to happen eventually, either in the sink, or the dishwasher, or the cabinet, or by Act of God. My sister-in-law was drinking from a Spiegelau glass and it just fell apart while she was taking a sip!
Of course, my weird wine glass collection is only made worse by various beer glasses for different styles of beer... It's really a mess right now. :)
Benito -- I so love that you tell people to imagine each glass breaking -- so true. I think as long as the glass is reasonably shaped, clear so you can look at the color, and isn't broken then we're all good to go.
Maybe all of us bloggers should take pictures of our glassware and share it. Kind of like that Dove campaign where they show women without makeup on and stuff...we can do a "Campaign of Real Glassware" : )
I mostly agree with what you say. Keep it simple.
But there is a lot of crappy glass out there that fits the shapes you mention above, but lack a thin edge/rim. If what tasters are putting up to their lips are thick goblets, then they negate the finesse that they just gained by buying the right shape.
The good news is, those yucky glasses are harder to find and it's more possible to find quality stems for $7 each.
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