Is a Glass only a Glass?

Gertrude Stein, once famously said, “a rose is a rose is a rose.” But is a glass just a glass just a glass? In other words, does the size, shape, composition and manufacture of a wine glass make a material difference in the way that a wine tastes and shows itself to the consumer?

Recent research indicates that these factors really do make a difference. This research focused on the Austrian manufacturer Riedel, with a few glasses from other manufacturers thrown in for comparison. Riedel produces wine glasses of various prices, sizes and shapes, with each glass allegedly made to showcase the best characteristics of the wine with which it is matched. Diligent tasting showed that:

(1) Wines tasted better in the glasses created for them. Bordeaux and Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, were better in the Bordeaux glass than in any of the other glasses.

(2) However, it was found that the Vinum series Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc glasses by Riedel performed very well for a wide array of wines. We recommend them as excellent glasses for heightened enjoyment of red and white wines generally. If you wish to buy only one glass, the Pinot Noir glass was the most versatile and the better for both red and white wines.

(3) Glasses made of crystal showcased wines better than those made of glass. If breakage is a concern to you, Riedel does make durable glass containers of a similar size, shape and appearance to the crystal comparisons. The glass containers perform very well and are considerably less expensive than the crystal containers.