Why are there different glasses for wine and champagne?!
Red wine glasses aren't designed differently than other wine glasses just for the sake of being different. No, believe it or not, they are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
* The shorter stem – Most people hold the bowl of a wine glass when drinking. Stems on red wine glasses are shorter than white wine glasses because it doesn't matter if a person holds the stem of a red wine glass or the bowl. Why does this not matter? Well, because of heat transfer. When a person holds a wine glass from the bowl, their body heat is transferred to the wine, warming it slightly (that's what they say). This slight rise in temperature does not affect the flavors and aromas of red wine.
* The larger bowl – The bowl is larger in design for a couple of reasons:
o A larger bowl allows red wine more exposure to air.
o The slight taper of the lip on the top of the bowl is designed to deliver the red wine to the right parts of the mouth, those being the back and sides of the tongue.
White Wine Glass Design
The tall and elegant design of white wine glasses also serve a specific purpose.
* The longer stem – This allows for the person drinking the wine to more easily hold the wine by the stem. The reason for this, is again, heat transfer. Holding a glass of white wine from the bowl will warm it slightly and affect the flavor characteristics and bouquet of the wine.
* The smaller bowl – Again, the more slender shape of a white wine glass is designed as such for a couple of reasons:
o It is not necessary to expose, or aerate white wine as it is for certain red wines.
o The tapered lip on the top of the bowl concentrates the bouquet of white wine, which is generally more slight and nuanced than the bouquet of red wine. The lip and the bowl of the glass is also designed to deliver the wine to the proper place in the mouth, which is the front.
Answers: Red Wine Glass Design
Red wine glasses aren't designed differently than other wine glasses just for the sake of being different. No, believe it or not, they are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
* The shorter stem – Most people hold the bowl of a wine glass when drinking. Stems on red wine glasses are shorter than white wine glasses because it doesn't matter if a person holds the stem of a red wine glass or the bowl. Why does this not matter? Well, because of heat transfer. When a person holds a wine glass from the bowl, their body heat is transferred to the wine, warming it slightly (that's what they say). This slight rise in temperature does not affect the flavors and aromas of red wine.
* The larger bowl – The bowl is larger in design for a couple of reasons:
o A larger bowl allows red wine more exposure to air.
o The slight taper of the lip on the top of the bowl is designed to deliver the red wine to the right parts of the mouth, those being the back and sides of the tongue.
White Wine Glass Design
The tall and elegant design of white wine glasses also serve a specific purpose.
* The longer stem – This allows for the person drinking the wine to more easily hold the wine by the stem. The reason for this, is again, heat transfer. Holding a glass of white wine from the bowl will warm it slightly and affect the flavor characteristics and bouquet of the wine.
* The smaller bowl – Again, the more slender shape of a white wine glass is designed as such for a couple of reasons:
o It is not necessary to expose, or aerate white wine as it is for certain red wines.
o The tapered lip on the top of the bowl concentrates the bouquet of white wine, which is generally more slight and nuanced than the bouquet of red wine. The lip and the bowl of the glass is also designed to deliver the wine to the proper place in the mouth, which is the front.
the theory has to do with how much exposure to air (oxygen) and room temp is good or bad for the drink.
the warner the temperature, the faster the bubbles go away in the champagne. which is another reason to serve smaller amounts of champagne.
Red wine is normally served in large wine glasses because it benefits from having air in it, (this improves the flavour) also the larger glass ensures that you can fully appreciate the nose, (smell). White wine is served in smaller glasses, it is best to pour it slowly so that air doesn't get into it as this ages it prematurely and can impair the flavour. Champagne flutes are so shaped to retain the bubbles and fizz.