Wine glasses

rpf · « **Reply #20 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 04:21 pm »

For an inexpensive everyday alternative, the "Fusion" line from the Wine Enthusiast is quite good. Light, but stronger than the Reidel or Spielgau lines. Around $45. for a set of four, with various varietal styles, it also comes in stemless types. Has the additional advantage of being lead free.

chadh · « **Reply #21 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 04:28 pm »

I wonder just how much "optimization" these Reidel folks could possibly have done. Especially when the effectiveness of the glass design is going to be influenced significantly by all sorts of variables left to the user's discretion (like temperature of the wine, how full the glass is, how long the wine has been breathing, how it has been stored etc.)

My personal take on the wine glass issue is much like any other decision you make. Before you ask "which glass?", you must ask, "What do I care about"?

One of the things I like about wine is that drinking it can appeal to so many of your senses simultaneously. It obviously matters how it tastes, and how it smells. But it can also matter to you how it looks, and how it feels while you drink it. Even how the glasses sound when clinked together. Don't discount any of these issues. I often drink from pottery goblets because I enjoy how the feel in my hand and on my lips. Plus, I think the earthenware helps to regulate the temperature. Of course, it's absolutely impossible for me to appreciate the color of the wine this way. Other times I like to drink from cut crystal, because I love how the light plays through the glassware. I also have some of the reidel stemless glasses, that came as a gift. These are fun, but do seem very delicate. They give me a good indication of how much surface area I want exposed to let the wine show its best characteristics. But heat transfer does become an issue, and (depending on what you're eating) the bowl can become greasy and then the whole clean look of the reidel glass is ruined.

If I had a bundle of money to throw around on wine glasses, I'd be surveying various baccarat lines. Their shapes may not be optimized the way reidel's are (or maybe they are. I have no idea). But the quality of the glass (the weight and design brilliance of the cut glass and the magical sound of the uncut) leave reidel in the dust. Of course, baccarat is also about three times the price. But one can always fantasize.

Chad

BobM · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 04:56 pm »

OK, so "optomization" is subjective. But so is the feel of the glass in your hand and the edge against your lips. In this case, the Riedel's subjectively feel excellent and enhance the experience when indulging in a good bottle of wine.

I'm sure there are other brands that can also do this, but Riedel's are well known and widely available.

Bob

JuanR · « **Reply #23 on:** 30 Mar 2009, 06:16 pm »

I am a wine collector plus a wine glass collector, and believe me the only difference in the glass is enjoy a nice looking glass, of course if you drink champagne you use the flute, but is only to keep it cool. You like small glass for Port because you drink less.

stone deaf · « **Reply #24 on:** 3 Apr 2009, 06:17 pm »

I enjoy a glass of wine on occasion and keep several bottles on hand always. I also have a nice patio with sit down wet bar where neighbors congregate in the morning for coffee and later for wine, beer, cocktails or smoothies. I love the company and someone is always bringing a bottle to help with the expense. What I found out the first year we had the bar was accidents happen, not everyone asks for a go cup and glass replacement can get expensive. We went with an Island theme so we could use heavy ceramic Tiki glasses and plastic in some cases. Our wine glass offerings are Lenox all purpose since the wine drinkers seem to be a bit more civilized than the margarita crowd, but inside for dinner we use Reidel Vinum and have 8 red, 8 white, 8 champagne.

Wayner · « **Reply #25 on:** 3 Apr 2009, 11:20 pm »

You know, a man can grin
When his ship's comin' in
and He's got the stock market beat.

But a man worth while,
Is a man who can smile
When his shorts are too tight in the seat.

Excuse me if I drank some Willamette Valley Pinot Noir in a milk glass.

Wayner

ted_b · « **Reply #26 on:** 4 Apr 2009, 12:42 am »

Riedel Vinnum for me. A set of 6 Bordeaux, and a set of 6 Chardonnay/Chablis are a good start. Inexpensive, nice to look at, and make wine taste great!

stone deaf · « **Reply #27 on:** 4 Apr 2009, 04:48 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 3 Apr 2009, 11:20 pm

You know, a man can grin
When his ship's comin' in
and He's got the stock market beat.

But a man worth while,
Is a man who can smile
When his shorts are too tight in the seat.

Excuse me if I drank some Willamette Valley Pinot Noir in a milk glass.

Wayner

Love it

djdube525 · « **Reply #28 on:** 4 Apr 2009, 01:41 pm »

A bit late to the party... but wanted to mention Bed Bath and Beyond carries Reidel Vinum and Sommeleir lines...
Have found their prices hard to beat when using their 20% off coupons.

Dave

Philistine · « **Reply #29 on:** 4 Apr 2009, 05:38 pm »

Quote from: djdube525 on 4 Apr 2009, 01:41 pm

A bit late to the party... but wanted to mention Bed Bath and Beyond carries Reidel Vinum and Sommeleir lines...
Have found their prices hard to beat when using their 20% off coupons.

Dave

Thanks for the tip Dave - I get inundated with those coupons and wasn't aware that BB&B carried Riedel, so can now put them to good use.

zybar · « **Reply #30 on:** 4 Apr 2009, 07:31 pm »

Quote from: djdube525 on 4 Apr 2009, 01:41 pm

A bit late to the party... but wanted to mention Bed Bath and Beyond carries Reidel Vinum and Sommeleir lines...
Have found their prices hard to beat when using their 20% off coupons.

Dave

Thanks Dave.

George

djdube525 · « **Reply #31 on:** 6 Apr 2009, 04:38 pm »

Any way I can help.

Couple things...
- Not all BB&B carry them in store. In the Raleigh area... I know of just one (there are several I haven't been to though).
- In the past I get the 2 packs... you get a little better discount per glass

I may be about to start talking out my butt... However, I've been told the difference between Vinum and Sommellier is that the former is machine made, the later hand blown? I dunno... Vinum's were stretching what I wanted to pay for so never paid too much attention.

Also... someone mentioned not getting the stemless for wine. I did see a mention by Tyson in the Scothch thread about the Reidel O Chardonnay / Viogneir stemless work well with spirits... For kicks I tried some bourbon using a stemmed Pinot glass... and I did notice a significant difference over our standard fare drink glasses. So I could see where the stemless could come in handy.

Happy sippin!

Dave

Gabrielle · « **Reply #32 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 09:14 am »

Wine glasses are designed to hold the aroma of wine so that we get full sensory experience when we drink the wine.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #33 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 10:53 am »

Quote from: JuanR on 30 Mar 2009, 06:16 pm

I am a wine collector plus a wine glass collector, and believe me the only difference in the glass is enjoy a nice looking glass, of course if you drink champagne you use the flute, but is only to keep it cool. You like small glass for Port because you drink less.

I thought champagne flutes were designed tall and narrow for two reasons: (1) to reduce the surface area so that the carbonation doesn't dissipate as quickly, and (2) to keep the drinker's nose out of the glass so it doesn't get wet from the bubbles...?

Also, the main purpose of stems is to allow a drinker to hold the glass and not affect the temperature of the wine. If you use a stemless glass, then your hand warms the bowl (and therefore the wine)...

S Clark · « **Reply #34 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 03:33 pm »

Quote from: PhilNYC on 12 Sep 2009, 10:53 am

I thought champagne flutes were designed tall and narrow for two reasons: (1) to reduce the surface area so that the carbonation doesn't dissipate as quickly, and (2) to keep the drinker's nose out of the glass so it doesn't get wet from the bubbles...?

Also, the main purpose of stems is to allow a drinker to hold the glass and not affect the temperature of the wine. If you use a stemless glass, then your hand warms the bowl (and therefore the wine)...

The traditional flute has more surface area than standard wine glass. I suspect that the long narrow design is to allow you to observe the rise of bubbles for a longer time.
As a long time collector and consumer, grower, and winemaker I have found that the glass doesn't affect my enjoyment of wine nearly as much as the company of those with which I share it.

Philistine · « **Reply #35 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 04:20 pm »

Phil is correct, the narrow shape of a champagne flute is to reduce the surface area and delay carbonation - retaining the bubbles in the champagne. The stem shape is to prevent the champagne becoming too warm:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_stemware

S Clark · « **Reply #36 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 04:43 pm »

Depend on how you are defining surface area. The flute has more surface area in contact between wine and glass but less contact between wine and air. The wine/glass surface affects the rate of CO2 loss, the liquid/air boundary affects the bouquet.
However, regardless of Wikipedia, the longer a cylinder is, the more surface area it has compared to its volume. Since the surface in contact with the liquid acts as a condensation point for the dissolved CO2 in the liquid, the more surface, the faster the rate of effervescence. Bubbles are lost faster in a flute than a tumbler- which, I might add, increases bouquet.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #37 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 04:47 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 12 Sep 2009, 04:43 pm

Depend on how you are defining surface area. The flute has more surface area in contact between wine and glass but less contact between wine and air. The wine/glass surface affects the rate of CO2 loss, the liquid/air boundary affects the bouquet.
However, regardless of Wikipedia, the longer a cylinder is, the more surface area it has compared to its volume. Since the surface in contact with the liquid acts as a condensation point for the dissolved CO2 in the liquid, the more surface, the faster the rate of effervescence. Bubbles are lost faster in a flute than a tumbler- which, I might add, increases bouquet.

This seems counter-intuitive...champagne is stored in a glass bottle and doesn't effervesce until the bottle is opened (and the champagne is exposed to air). So it would make more logical sense that the surface area of exposure of champagne to air is the main factor in dissipating the carbonation.

Here's another source that concurs:

http://www.oenophileblog.com/html/flute__tulip__or_coupe_.html

Don_S · « **Reply #38 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 05:17 pm »

Champagne flutes increase the depth of the liquid which increases both the distance bubbles have to travel and the hydraulic pressure they have to overcome. Therefore the champagne stays bubbly longer. (Physics).

I don't suppose anyone would appreciate the suggestion that if you drink straight from the bottle you have more money to buy better wine (and audio toys). (economics) Plus it is "green". No glasses to wash.

Browntrout · « **Reply #39 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 06:24 pm »

I guessed that the flute was for outside and the champagne glass or coupe was for indoors. The chapagne coupe being the opposite of the flute with a very wide shallow bowl.
I don't know, I think the coupe is much more fun to drink from. As for good red wine well the bigger the better because you do not have to keep filling it.
Certainly a fragile glass would bother me, I don't want to be concerned with something breaking through 'normal' use that could result in red wine being split either on the carpet or stereo.
What did the Romans drink red wine from? I don't think they had glass back then did they? I think the day I need someone to tell me what glass to drink from is the day I stop drinking wine.