Glassware

I used to scoff at those who swore that the taste of a wine was affected by the glass it was served in - until I attended a Riedel glass tasting. I could hardly believe that the same wine could taste so different - and the only factor which changed was the stemware.Wine glasses add so much to the appreciation of a wine - yet are quite often overlooked. For this reason WINE has put a range of glasses to the test. They all serve the same purpose but there are marked variations in appearance, feel and ergonomics.

 

Riedel
Riesling Grand Cru. Can also be used for Chianti or Zinfandel. The aperture is a slight problem for nose and mouth access, but the stem's a good length. Lovely crystal ring to it.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R205

Bordeaux. Large bowl which consequently makes the stem feel insubstantially slim - but it isn't. Nice weight. Great for swirling.
Score: 8/10
o Price: R220
o Riedel at Aroma - 021 794 8693.

Amris Classic
These glasses have great functionality as well as value for money. Restaurateurs take note - they'd be ideal in a restaurant or even a tasting room for that matter. They could also be used as domestic "everyday" crystal glasses.

Red. Good ergonomics - the stem's not too long and it has a nice feel once wine is in the bowl.
Score: 6/10
o Price: R45

White. Ditto. There's also a nice lip on this glass - rounded. Nose access could be a problem.
Score: 6/10
o Price: R45
o Available exclusively from Cadek International on 0861 222 335. Visit www.cadek.co.za.

Spiegelau
Rotwein Kelch. Lovely glasses. Quite understated in looks. Also good for young red and white. Aperture is 65mm diameter. Stems appear long and thin, but feel substantial.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R78

Weisswein Kelch. A good white glass with 60mm aperture. There's no chance of nose bash.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R74
o Cadek International - 0861 222 335. Visit www.cadek.co.za to view the full range, which also includes the general purpose Spiegelau tasting glass for R70.

Spiegelau Vino Grande range
Rotwein Ballon (Burgundy). Seriously rounded bowl with a 70mm diameter. Finger span stem length. Good thickness. Doesn't feel flimsy. Nice balance with wine and gets a good swirl going. Fairly robust.
Score: 9/10
o Price: R79,50

Rotwein Magnum (Bordeaux). Feels a little top heavy when empty but settles into the hand nicely once filled. Good swirl balance. Aperture has a 72mm diameter. Nice stem length and thickness.
Score: 8/10
o Price: R79,50
o Cadek International on 0861 222 335. Visit www.cadek.co.za.

Rothenthal
Crystal "Bordeaux". The voluptuously curved bowl provides a lovely feel. Nice ergonomics - no nose bash. Good stem thickness and length.
Score: 8/10
o Price: R69

Crystal "Burgundy". Beautifully bulbous bowl, lovely wide aperture - excellent for aromatics. Stem looks and feels a little thin. Could feel a little top heavy if swirled when over full.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R69
o Available from Caroline's Fine Wines - 021 419 8984 or email caroline@carolineswine.com.

Italesse
Vertical large. Really good ergonomics - stem length is a perfect finger span and aperture is 62mm in diameter so there's no nose bash.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R62

Vertical medium. Same as the large, with the aperture down to 56mm. Nose access no problem.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R59

Vertical small. The glass lip is noticeably rounded. Aperture is 52mm so no nose room. It feels a little small, capacity-wise.
Score: 6/10
o Price: R39,50
o Caroline's Fine Wines - 021 419 8984 or email caroline@carolineswine.com.

Italesse Crystal
Babilon 1. This is for aromatic white and red and does good service as a general-purpose glass. The aperture has a 55mm diameter so nose access is a problem when drinking. Nice stem length and width.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R53

Babilon 2. For matured red and wooded white, this glass looks lovely. Rounded bulb base and steeply tapered sides. The aperture is just 50mm in diameter so again the rim rests on the nose when sipping. Feels good - especially with something in the bowl.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R56
o Available from Caroline's Fine Wines - 021 419 8984 or email caroline@carolineswine.com.

Allure
Red. A very feminine, rosebud-shaped bowl, which looks good. Lip is very rounded and a touch thick. Aperture is 65mm. Straight stem. It's a tall glass at 255mm high so balance could be a problem.
Score: 6/10
o Price: R12,15

White. Somehow this glass looks out of proportion. The stem is too long for the bowl. Also tall at 240mm from base to rim.
Score: 5/10
o Price: R12,05
o Lullingstone Glass - 021 593 6465.

Polish carre
Red. V-shaped bowl base. Nice glass thickness, not too heavy. 60mm aperture. Straight stem that's a nice length. Would be good in a tasting room or restaurant.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R13

White. Same as above.
Score: 7/10
o Price: R12
o Lullingstone Glass - 021 593 6465.