What causes wine legs – the streaks on the side of a wine glass? They represent quality to some. Many countries mandate fill lines on commercial glasses as consumer protection. Some hotels have Plimsoll lines on wine glasses to calculate costs and ensure adequate pours.
Germany measures glassware. Local laws updated federal Measurement and Calibration Act implementing EU directive. Commercial glassware must have volume markings and manufacturer ID.
Water quality affects wine. Submarines called boats as launched from ships early on. End pieces of eyeglasses connect rims to temples. Codes on marks indicate supervising bodies. Saucers add vintage twist versus cocktail glasses. Tulip champagne glass best complements celebrations.
Identifying Glass Lines
What is the line on a wine glass called? The line in a glass indicates volume held.
What are the two lines on a wine glass? It is used by restaurants to pour a consistent serve for paying customers. This may be 100mL pour line, 150mL pour line and sometimes even 250mL pour line.
Judging Wine Quality
How do you tell a good wine by looking at it in the glass? First, look straight down into the glass, then hold the glass to the light, and finally, give it a tilt, so the wine rolls toward its edges. This will allow you to see the wine’s complete color range, not just the dark center.
Why do people swirl wine? When a wine is swirled, literally hundreds of different aromas are released, the subtlety of which can only be detected with the nose.
Glass Anatomy
What is the skinny part of a wine glass called? The stem: Stems are the long, thin part of the glass drinkers hold without having to touch the bowl.
What are those wine cups called? A wine glass is a type of glass that is used to drink and taste wine.
Describing Wine
Vinny, What does it mean to say a wine has a “linear profile”? “Linear” is used to describe wine as straightforward.
What is a whiskey vertical? A vertical whiskey tasting is one that involves sampling several different expressions or ages of the same brand.
How do you perform a vertical tasting? Source a handful (three to four) of vintages of the wine, produced in successive years
The Foot: the bottom disc of the wine glass that makes it possible for the glass to be set upon a table without falling over.
Wine Glass Types and Uses
Types of Stemware: Different types of wine have different stemware recommendations.
- Bordeaux glass: Ideal for French Bordeaux red blends.
- Balloon wine glasses are characterized by an almost spherical shape.
- A decanter is used to hold decantation of liquids, like wine.
- Large wine glasses are also called goblets, Cabernet glasses, or Burgundy glasses.
The average wine glass is 6 to 10 inches tall.
How big should a wine pour really be? 4 to 5 ounces is a standard pour for restaurants and bars.
What are the parts of a wine glass called?
- The bowl: focuses aromas at the rim.
- The stem: allows holding without affecting temperature.
- The foot: provides stability.
Red wine glasses have rounder, wider bowls. White wine glasses have narrower openings. Stemless glasses provide an alternative without a tall stem.
Standard wine glass size is five to six ounces. Pour water to this line when serving as a guide. Restaurants often pour four to five ounces per glass.
Riedel glasses direct wine precisely over the tongue by shape and opening. A $400,000 champagne glass by John Calleija holds wine amid 15 carats of diamonds.
Roman glass vessels first appeared around 1500 BC. Stemless shapes were simple. Later blown glass allowed more intricate creations.
The shape brings out a wine’s properties and flavors. Many factors impact taste. The vessel is key to the experience.