Does The Glass Really Matter?

Stemware for red wine/chart by Riedel

I get this question all the time.  It’s usually asked in a way that implies the answer:  “The type of glass you use doesn’t really matter, does it?”  Although I love wine, I do not like to sound pretentious.  And I do think that a lot of us wine lovers get carried away with minutiae.  But I can definitely say that the type of glass really does matter.

So you’re not sure you believe me?  Let me start with an analogy.  My brother-in-law swears that the taste and enjoyment of food does not change based upon the temperature.  I strongly disagree, and I would bet that a lot of you would agree.  Cold mashed potatoes are so shocking to the mouth that you can’t enjoy the subtle butter flavor.  Melted ice cream lacks the viscous mouthfeel that makes it so satisfying.  So it is with wine glasses.  The correct glass, like the correct temperature, can have a profound effect on the enjoyment of the wine.

Stemware for white wine/chart by Riedel

Why is this?  Most experts agree that it’s because of the way the shape of the glass directs the aromas of the wine to your nose.  Most of us have heard that a large part of our ability to taste is tied up with our sense of smell.  It makes sense, then, that the way the aromas are directed toward your nose might affect how you smell, which in turn is likely to affect how you taste.  Those who make a living out of creating new and different glasses, such as the crystal company Riedel, even argue that the shape of the glass affects where on your tongue the wine lands, which therefore affects how you taste.  I cannot argue with this because I do vaguely remember learning in high school that we taste different components of food on different parts of our tongues.  However, I must admit that the idea still sounds a little far-fetched, so I’m sticking with the smell explanation.