SIP IN STYLE- WINE GLASSES & WHY THEY MATTER.

Ebu stop!!Don't be this guy. Not every vessel is a wine glass my friend. And yes, wine is wine but you're kinda cheating yourself. See, certain glass shapes unlock flavors, aromas, even vibes. Its like listening to your favorite song through a blown speaker. Sure, you hear it. But do you feel it??? Same with wine.

The shape, size, and material of your wine glass actually matter, and thanks to the wine nerds at Wine folly i have broken things down for us non-snobs.

Crystal and Glass Stemware

• Crystal is glass with lead monoxide in it and, depending on what country you live in, percentages of lead monoxide can vary from 1% (in the US) to 30% (in Europe).(wine folly)

• Using leaded or lead-free crystal for wine glasses helps shape thinner rims makes it sturdy enough to be spun very thin.

• The minerals cause the glass to have light refraction which gives stemware a sparkle.

• Downside? Crystal is often hand-wash only and more fragile if dropped.

Regular Glassware

• More affordable, and usually doesn't break easy

• Thicker meaning a slightly clunkier feel and less finesse in the wine delivery game.

WHY GLASS SHAPE MATTERS

You've probably seen wine glasses in all shapes and sizes and thought-does it really matter? short answer: yes long answer: still yes.

The right shape changes how wine smells and tastes. a wide bowl for red wines for example, lets the wine breathe, softening bold flavors and opening up aromas. A narrower glass for whites, keeps those fresh and crisp notes from escaping too fast.

Basically, the glass enhances the wine like watching a movie with surround sound instead of on a scratched dvd.

GLASSES FOR DIFFERENT WINES

• Red wine glasses- usually bigger and rounder to allow the wine to breathe. a wider bowl means more oxygen, which smooths out the flavor.

• White wine glasses- their shape keeps them cool and crisp

• Champagne- tall and skinny to trap bubbles and keep the fizz alive

WHATS WITH THE STEM ANYWAY?

Let me hold your hand when i say this; The stem of the glass isn't there to make you feel fancy(i know, i know but that's the truth).

• Its purpose is to help keep your warm hands off the bowl so your wine stays the right temperature. No one wants hot wine turst me.

• Also it makes swirling easier and keeps fingerprints off the glass.

• Stemless is cool for casual sipping, but if you're tasting and sniffing the stem helps. At the end of the day what's important is more about how the shape of the vessel collects aromas and deposits wine into your mouth.

Tumblers are for juice, not cabernet-cheers to better sips

-So next time you're sipping, don't be that guy with wine in a tumbler (unless there are no glasses available). Grab the right glass and let your wine do its thing. Its not about being extra-its about getting the full experience. After all, wines already doing the heavy lifting the least you could do is give it a proper glass.

cheers