Although it is possible to drink wine and water from any cup, adapting the glass to its intended use always adds to the pleasure. One reason for this is that a glass specially designed for a particular type of wine allows you to better perceive its bouquet and aromas.
To appreciate a wine at its true value, it is therefore recommended to taste it in the appropriate glass, which requires knowing the difference between a wine glass and a water glass.
The water glass
In a set of stemmed glasses, the water glass is usually the one with the largest capacity. This is justified because water can be consumed throughout a meal to quench thirst, refresh the palate and cleanse the taste buds between sips of wine. A standard water glass contains about 6 ounces when three-quarters full. Since water has no taste, there is no risk that contact of the liquid with air will alter its flavour.
Wine glasses
To enhance its flavour, the wine can be poured into a carafe and served chilled. To preserve the temperature of the precious liquid, the wine glass has a stem and a foot, which limits heat transfer between the fingers and the contents. Usually held at the bottom of the stem between the thumb and the first two fingers, a wine glass can also be held with the thumb on the foot and the index finger or the first two fingers under the base.
Although the average wine glass holds between 8 and 12 ounces when filled to the brim, it is important to know that the flavour of wine deteriorates when exposed to oxygen. That's why only 3 to 4 ounces are usually poured into it.
However, in order to bring out the characteristic aromas of different wine varieties, there are slight differences between glasses designed for tasting white wines and those in which red wines should be served.
White wine glasses
The white wine glass is made with a chalice that is slightly smaller in diameter than a red wine glass. It also has slightly straighter sides. This shape concentrates the taste and releases the delicate bouquet of white wines.
Red wine glasses
To release all of its aromas, red wine is served in a glass with a chalice that is slightly larger and higher than that of the white wine glass.
The Bordeaux glass is used to taste wines of Bordeaux typicity, renowned for their stronger and definitely less delicate bouquet than Bourgogne. In order to concentrate flavours as much as possible, the diameter of the chalice is about half an inch to an inch smaller than a Bourgogne glass, and its sides are slightly straighter.
A Bourgogne glass is wider and rounder than a Bordeaux glass, for a better propulsion of the aromas.
Find the wine glasses you need to enhance your wine tasting experience
In conclusion, despite the fact that a water glass and a wine glass look alike, there are many differences between these two glasses that should not be underestimated. Indeed, you will have much more pleasure tasting a good wine in the right glass.
If you would like to purchase wine glasses or would like more information on the different types of glasses, contact Vinum. For more than 20 years, this company has been offering a whole range of products and services related to the pleasure of wine and food, both in stores and online.
