Glassware Pairings

[TimmyBoston]

I'm a big believer that the right glass can really improve your enjoyment of a beverage and overall experience.

What are your favorite glassware pairings? What specific glasses do you like with what specific or more generalized beverages?

[TimmyBoston]

I drink all of my Single Malts from a Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whisky glass.
I love bourbon from a Riedel Vinum Cognac Hennessy glass.

I drink port from a 17oz snifter, but with this one, I'm wondering if there's a better fit.

[Mama Bear]

This is absolutely true... from the standpoint of the shape of the glass will funnel the fumes towards your nose in a certain way to accentuate the.. whatever it is that is being .... well, I am failing miserably at this part.. Ouch will know tho!

From another point of view I have been collecting waterford crystal for over 25 years... and everything just tastes better in it... I am not sure if it is because the crystal is so beautiful, heavy, solid or pristine.. I just don't know.. but the flavor of everything is better. Obviously this is a psychological thing... I can't imagine that anything would actually taste better because it is in crystal... (but it does... :wink2: )

I am dying to hear more about the shapes, flutes for champagne, rocks for whiskey, the many shapes of wine glasses and my favorite... the brandy snifter.. I have small ones and large ones.. and have been known to drink milk from the large one... just because I could .:biggrin:

I like port in a snifter too.....

[boboakalfb]

I also believe that glassware enhances the experience. I recently picked up some Reidel Single Malt Whisky glasses and am really enjoying them. I do have 4 other Reidel Vinum shapes so I guess I am a fan of that line.

Tim...don't have any experience with them but Reidel does make a Port specific glass...maybe worth a shot?

[qhsdoitall]

I'll let you know after my Reidel Vinum Port glasses arrive. I do know that glass shapes do make a difference. I used to be a tasting panel member for Mirassou and Ridge Vineyards, I learned a lot from them about how glass shape can make a world of difference in how a wine blooms and presents itself to a taster. Same goes for any alcohol or even coffee. As an example, they would line up the same wine in 5-6 different shaped glasses and you tried each one and noted what glass had the best bouquet, flavor, undertones and so on. It was fun. The majority of people would pick the right glass shape made for the wine being presented.

[Lynchmeister]

For weißbiers, I use the typical weißbier glass as pictured here. For stouts and ales it is the mighty pint.

[mozart]

The Riedel series are all great IMHO, but they have a major drawback, particularly the high-end ones, like the Sommelier series: the glasses tend to have long and thin stems and are quite fragile overall. It might be a good idea to enjoy your first batch of whatever in a high-end glass and then switch to lower-end versions as you get more inibriated, otherwise, you'll end up breaking the precious gems :biggrin: I went through a few Jerez, Port and Bourgogne glasses myself. I have friends whom I only serve beverages in Bavarian Beer Steins, because they are such klutzes. Never had a problem with the Single-Malts, though.

Spiegelau is another fine company.

Best - MM

[Doc4]

The Riedel series are all great IMHO, but they have a major drawback, particularly the high-end ones, like the Sommelier series: the glasses tend to have long and thin stems and are quite fragile overall. It might be a good idea to enjoy your first batch of whatever in a high-end glass and then switch to lower-end versions as you get more inibriated, otherwise, you'll end up breaking the precious gems :biggrin: I went through a few Jerez, Port and Bourgogne glasses myself. I have friends whom I only serve beverages in Bavarian Beer Steins, because they are such klutzes. Never had a problem with the Single-Malts, though.

Spiegelau is another fine company.

Best - MM

Spieglau is actually now owned by Riedel! I agree that you need to keep some klutz-friendly glasses on hand ... in my case my family is really taken with the idea of 'clinking' glasses after a toast, and they ain't exactly gentle.

To the original queston, sometimes I drink port in brandy snifters as well, as it seems a really good way to catch the aroma. For me, space becomes an issue, so I can't be getting a bunch of every different wine-specific stem out there ...

[TimmyBoston]

Ouch, We'd all love your opinion on this topic!

Please! :crying:

:thumbup:

[Dennis]

I'm a newbie to this whole thing, but I found drinking single malt scotches out of the Riedel Vinum single malt glasses made an amazing difference in the scotch. Prior I had tried low ball glasses and a brandy snifter. With the snifter, it was overpowering alcohol in the nose; with the tumbler, there was not much nose at all. Using the Riedel glass, it is perfection which I found somewhat difficult to believe. The nose and aroma of the scotches are right upfront and easily distinguished with no overpowering alcohol at all. It is a pretty cool thing.

I drink wine out of Lenox crystal (http://www.lenox.com/cat/index.cfm?fuseaction=prod&pid=7391&kf=55&cat=din&subcat=crystal&flt=stem&subflt=gb) - that exact glass in fact. That is crystal we received when I got married. I use those glasses for all wines I drink. I do not know if a different glass would make a difference depending on the wine.

Dennis

[mozart]

I do not know if a different glass would make a difference depending on the wine.
Dennis

That is essentially Riedel's philosophy, namely shape a glass so that it will bring out the best in a specific beverage. Look at their lineup, and you'll see almost dozens of shapes for wines alone.

However, it takes quite a bit of experience to really detect the difference. Like the discussion between audio from a CD vs. LP, one has to have high-end equipment and material to potentially detect any differences. It's easier with Single-Malts, but when it comes to wines, I personally need a direct comparison in most cases. So, if you want to find out for yourself, get a Riedel glass designed for a specific wine, get an excellent bottle, and compare the two glasses side by side.

Best - MM

[michaelskar]

I agree that glassware can add so much to the experience...but...

While this is more pertinent to drink preparation (on the rocks, neat, some water, etc.), I really like Bogart's line in The Big Sleep:
[waiter]: how do you take your scotch?
[Bogart as Marlowe]: In a glass.