So you’ve just filled up your wine rack with all your favorite wines from Nino’s, and it’s time to crack one open. You go to grab a glass, and you’re not sure which one to choose. You may have wine glasses that are shaped like fishbowls, while others are tall and skinny.

Well, there is a reason for that. Wine flavor can be determined by the kind of glass it is served in. And if you find yourself in a jam, here are a couple of tips to help you along the way.

Not to sound like a wine snob, but wine will display different characteristics when served in a different glass. Below are five examples of sensations in wine:

Bouquet: Wine aroma/smell

Texture: Mouthfeel, watery, creamy, silky and velvety

Flavor: Grape variety/balance and minerality

Finish: Harmonious and long aftertaste

Color: The correct color is no color at all. The color of a wine is a clue to the body, richness and quality, and it is very important for weeding out imperfections.

The Chardonnay Glass:

This wine glass is designed so that the low acidity is delivered in a way that sets off the alcohol and rich flavors of the wine. This allows young wines to express their freshness, while mature wines are encouraged to deliver the nutty, spicy mineral flavors typical of this variety.

The Cabernet Sauvignon/Bordeaux Glass:

This glass is tall with a broad bowl that directs the wine to the back of the mouth. This wine glass is ideal for highly tannic red wine of moderate acidity. It is also a good glass to choose if you must choose only one set of glasses.

Burgundy Glass/Pinot noir:

This particular glass is wider to accumulate aromas for a more delicate red wine like Pinot Noir. The glass directs the wine to the tip of the tongue, which perceives sweetness and highlights the rich fruit and acidity of this fragile grape.

The Champagne Flute:

To fully appreciate the bubbles, pour Champagne into glasses with a high, narrow, tapering bowl like this traditional champagne flute. The opening of the bowl is designed in a manner to help retain the signature carbonation in the champagne.

There is a reason wine glasses have a long stem. The stem is there to keep you from touching the bowl, which can result in a temperature change from the heat of your hand.  Crystal glasses are a treat to have, but they are not necessary and can be very expensive. I think ordinary glass wine glasses are fine and are less likely to break in the dishwasher.

With Summer here, it’s time to enjoy some great wines. Try out the different glasses and enjoy!

Cheers,

Simone