Which Wine Glass to Use

How to Choose Wine Glasses

Considering storage problems, expense and simple common sense, no one in their right mind would buy all of the wine glasses mentioned in this article. For most people, the ideal arrangement will be glasses designed for Bordeaux wines which are good for all dry red wines; those designed for Chardonnay, which are best suited to dry whites; special flutes if Champagne is a favorite; and one glass for Cognac, Armagnac or whatever happens to be your favorite brandy (don't hesitate to serve really good whisky in your Cognac glasses). Keep in mind that crystal glasses do break and that those of Riedel and of Spiegelau are the easiest to replace.

Agreement is almost universal that colored wine glasses are to be shunned as they rob us of the ability to appreciate the color of the wine we are drinking.

In order to best appreciate whatever wine you are drinking, wine glasses should be as clean as possible. Fine glasses should never be cleaned in a dishwasher, where the detergents leave a coating on the glass which may interfere with the smell or taste of the wine. Glasses should be washed by hand with soap or detergent. After rinsing the glasses in hot water they should not be drained but filled with clean hot water and emptied only immediately before drying. Clean linen or cotton dish towels will polish a warm wet glass quickly and perfectly, but will leave unwanted smears and streaks on cold glasses.

When serving several wines at the same meal it will eliminate confusion if each wine has a slightly different glass. Wine charms are also an easy and fun way for your guests to know which glass is theirs. Guests should be told that the order of pouring is from left to right (that is to say, the first wine to be drunk should be poured into the left hand glass).