Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Wine Glasses: Does it Really Matter?

One of the (many) things that makes wine conniseurship seem unduly precious to the uninitiated is the insistence that the shape of the glass matters. Frankly, I didn't want to believe it myself, but I've gradually been won over. And, moreover, a lot of wine professionals and serious amateurs agree. Riedel is the name before which most wine nuts genuflect, but a while back the Wall Street Journal's wine writers recommended Spiegelau's Vino Grande Burgundy glasses. They were right - this is an outstanding all-purpose red wine glass. It works equally well with pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and zinfandel, which pretty much covers my bases. I don't recommend it for white wine, although it's okay for chardonnay. Best of all, they're top rack dishwasher safe.