Tips for Enjoying Wine at Home

Reading about wine, then buying and cellaring it are merely the prologue for drinking, the moment when you finally get to experience that in which you’ve invested so much time and energy. Though in many cases nothing more than a simple corkscrew and a glass is required, some situations (or wines) may call for a little more. The proper glassware and a few tools of the trade can make a big difference, but you will also want to pay attention to suggested temperatures and the order in which wines are served.

Glassware

For everyday home use, I recommend investing in the three basic shapes—White Wine, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. The white wine glass can be used for all whites, and is almost always a better choice for Champagne and sparkling wine than the standard flute. The Burgundy glass can be used for richer whites in addition to lighter reds such as Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, while the Bordeaux glass is ideal for richer reds. I personally include Riedel’s Riesling glass in my assortment. With a slightly rounder bowl and narrower opening than the white wine glass, it does a better job at capturing more nuanced aromatics. I turn to this glass not only for Riesling, but for other aromatic whites, many Champagnes and Zinfandel — provided it is not too heavily oaked.

Multimedia: Choosing the Right Glass

In my house, we use the basic Riedel Vinum series, largely because the glasses are not too expensive and are widely available. Riedel’s Sommelier series glasses are gorgeous and certainly stylish, but are significantly more expensive and also quite fragile. I am partial to the Schott Zwiesel line of glassware as well, which is even more durable than the Riedel, and is available in the same basic shapes. However, the glassware line of the moment definitely seems to be Zalto. Though hardly a new company, this brand has become hot within both the collector set and the restaurant community, largely through the campaigning of sommelier and entrepreneur Aldo Sohm. These glasses are particularly handsome, and sturdier than their delicate frames suggest. They also feature original designs than have become standard—shapes that are very successful in enhancing the essence of their respective wine types. Readers might want to try side-by-side comparisons. I have—and the Zalto glassware almost always wins.

From left to right: a basic white wine glass, Burgundy glass, Bordeaux glass, and Riedel’s Vinum Riesling glass.

Of course it is possible to rely on a single, universal glass for all of your wine needs. Such a glass comes in especially handy if you are hosting large parties or tastings. When serving several different wines over the course of a dinner, a smaller glass can save valuable table space. Similarly, if you are dividing a single bottle of wine among a large group of people, a universal glass can provide a better tasting experience, as that small portion of wine might get lost inside a larger piece of stemware. Most lines of glassware will offer a universal glass, though in many cases the basic white wine glass will suffice. The Zalto Universal glass ($59) and the Riedel Vinum Viognier/Chardonnay glass ($30) are two of my favorites—though the Zalto is the more elegant option, the Riedel is admirably durable. The Spiegelau Winelovers White Wine glass is a terrific value option, and is available in 4-packs for $28.00.