Cellaring & Service

Glassware can make a big difference to the way a wine tastes. Try the same wine out of a tumbler and a fine, thin-walled wine glass.

The wine always seems to taste better out of a good glass. Expert opinion is growing that these differences are not merely psychological.

Whilst there are many different glass designs, they tend to be driven by fashion, rather than by the needs of serious wine drinkers. Nevertheless, some companies, notably Riedel in Austria, have developed fine glasses that clearly enhance the fine wine experience.

A good, all-purpose wine glass need not be expensive. It should have a total capacity of about 220ml and be slightly tapered or tulip-shaped at the top of the bowl. This helps to concentrate the aroma or bouquet when the wine is swirled around in the glass before nosing. After all, much of what we taste is really what our nose tells us about the wine.

Make sure your glasses are clean, which ideally means washing them separately, rinsing them in hot water and avoiding the use of detergent.

Glasses should be stored upright and aired before use. Do not use glasses straight out of a wooden cupboard or sideboard, or straight from a cardboard box. Sniff a glass straight out of a cupboard or box and you can easily detect the musty or cardboardy smell.