by Becky Pruitt
9. November 2010 01:44
My first encounter with the idea that the shape and type of glass determines the taste of wine happened several years ago at an 80th birthday party for my friend’s mother. They had popped open a bottle of Dom Perignon and poured it into small Styrofoam glasses. Quite honestly, it was a huge letdown…it tasted just like….well…let’s just say a lesser quality of champagne. I had tasted Dom before and thought it was quite good…but this time….not so much. I chalked it up to the whole champagne “experience.” You know….bubbles…pretty glass…feeling like Audrey Hepburn.
Later, I began to notice a similar difference when I drank a cup of fine tea. A beautiful amber-colored earl grey tea is not the same in a plastic “to-go” cup as in my fine china. As a result, I began using my china and crystal more often to enhance the food and drink experience. Some people thought I was just being all frou-frou, but I insisted that it made such a difference!
Fast forward to 2009 when I began my holiday “will work for wine” job at Vine & Table. At Vine & Table, I began to experience wine through the proper shape of glass. Before, my motto was the bigger, the better in terms of glass size. The most marked difference came when I tasted pinot noir. I learned that the shape of the glass determines where the wine makes contact with your palate. Ever the skeptic, I tried several pinots in cabernet glasses and then in pinot glasses - - Oh my goodness!! Using the correct glass turned an average pinot into a shining star on my taste buds!!
On the Riedel website, they explain their process of discovering this same thing:
A person interested in wine is led by color, bouquet and taste, but often the glass is not considered as an instrument to convey the message of the wine. Over the years Riedel acquired some interesting scientific explanations as to why the shape of a glass influences the bouquet and taste of alcoholic beverages. The first discovery was made while enjoying wine. The same wine displayed completely differently characteristics when served in a variety of glasses. The differences were so great that experienced connoisseurs were made to believe that they were tasting a different wine.
Several of my friends attended last year’s Riedel event at Vine & Table and they were amazed at the difference the glass made. Vine & Table is offering the same deal this year - the Riedel class for $65 and you get to keep the Riedel glasses you use. This is an outstanding offer! Try a variety of wines, pouring them in each different glass and discover how the glass shape, style, and quality make a difference. Trust me, if you attend, it will forever change your wine tasting experience.
Several weeks ago, The Man and I were enjoying a California pinot. This was his favorite wine. He poured the wine into a simple cabernet glass. The look on his face showed me that something was amiss. “Is this the same wine?” Yes. “Is it the same year?” Yes. “It doesn’t taste the same.” It tastes pretty good to me…. The Man gets up, pours the wine into a pinot glass, takes a sip and says, “There it is!” He is now a believer in the difference glass shape and quality makes.
Sign up now for the Riedel Class on Thursday, November 18th. This class will fill up quickly so don’t delay. This is not just a Riedel class; it will be a Riedel experience.
Becky blogs at www.divorced-diva.blogspot.com
