Feb 28 2009
The Perfect Wine Glass
This is the 18h installment find the 1st one here
We have had several different styles of wine glasses in our home over the 38 year of marriage and until recently, we have never paid much attention to what we were drinking out of. We do have the red wine (balloons) ever since my friend pointed out, “You need to drink reds out a glass like that and not the skinny ones!” We had had the white wine glasses since we first moved here. I admit that since purchasing the balloons, we really enjoy drinking the reds from them rather than the other glasses.
Last spring, when my wife and I attended the Wine Spectator’s “Grand Tour” in Las Vegas, we were each handed a glass to use for the tasting event. I noticed the name “Ridel” was etched on the base. As I have mentioned in an earlier writing, we thoroughly enjoyed that tasting event, so we naturally opted to take our glasses home with us to Florida to use as “extras”.
It always amazes me as to what I can find to read about in wine books and magazines. I recently read an article about the “Ridel” glass and its very unique characteristics. It explained the microscopic irregularities in the interior of the surface of the glass that enabled the better break-up of the wine molecules to add oxygen when you swirl it in the glass, The perfect shape of the cabernet designed glass to aid in capturing the full “nose” of the wine as you taste it, the size of the bowl and length of the stem, all making it easier to handle and drink from to get the most flavor and sensations from the wine. Then I priced the set of two glasses in a local store and realized they were almost $50.00. Holy Crap! Why would I spend that much for two glasses no mater what they did to enhance the wine?
Funny thing though, we started to drink out of the complimentary “Ridel” glasses from the “Grand Tour” and not the balloons anymore. Then it happened! I broke one against the granite countertop. Talk about an explosion! There were little chards of glass all over the kitchen and the dining room as well. It blew up like a grenade! Both of us agreed that this was good crystal. Now was when the little arguments started. My wife would say, “You always get the “Ridel” glass! I want to drink out of it!”
A few days later came another amazing comment from her. “We should probably buy a pair of those good “Ridel” cabernet glasses.” I never thought I’d ever hear her say that! Of course, I went right out and shelled out the cash for a pair of the “Vinium” cabernet/shiraz shaped glasses. We love them and both of us acknowledged that they are very much superior to all other glasses and if one broke, we’d be right back for another one! No more of that argument!
Jim Albinger (Andrew’s dad) grew up in smalltown northwest Iowa in the 1950’s. He has been writing down his experiences looking back at all that has shaped his current wine tasting hobby. Expect to see more of Jim’s writings here at offthecork.com.
