DTN Lesson #2

DTN Lesson 2: Glassware: Yes, It does make a difference

This lesson is supposed to show the difference the glass really makes for tasting/drinking wine. The taste and perception of wine can be affected based on the glass type, size, and shape. For this lesson we needed an aromatic red and and aromatic white. I chose to use Milton Park Shiraz from South Africa and a Viognier from Australia.

Step 1: Chill the white wine for 30-40 minutes in the fridge. Get out the glasses and open up the red wine. Line up the glasses in the order; shot glass, short glass, water glass, small wine glass, large wine glass, and bowl. 

Step 2: Starting with the white wine fill each glass with one shot glass of wine.

Step 3: Sniff-a-rama! Starting with the shot glass give each glass of wine a good sniff, giving at least a minute between each glass. 

Shot glass: Not a lot of smell at all, maybe some light hints of citrus but nothing else. 

Short glass: In this glass the wine had pleasant aromas of apple, light citrus, and pear. 

Water glass: Harder to smell the wine given the depth of the glass. A stronger grassy smell was evident along with a ginger accent. 

Small wine glass: The wine was definitely easier to smell and had more aromas. I could smell pear and apple very clearly. 

Large wine glass: With this glass there was a light citrus scent with a very potent pear smell. 

Bowl: Couldn't get a whole lot of smell given the size of the bowl. 

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 with the red wine. 

Shot glass: Not able to smell a lot but got hints of cherry

Short glass: Stronger smells of cherry and berries present

Water glass: Harder to smell given the depth of the glass.

Small wine glass: Got a lot of smell from this glass including dark berries, vanilla, and pepper. 

Large wine glass: This wine gave the most aromas, including stronger scents of dark cherry, dark berries, and vanilla. 

Bowl: Offered no smell, given the size and openness of the bowl. 

Conclusion: Not all drinking vessels are created equal. This lesson was very important in that it demonstrated that the smell of wine is very important to the taste, with that the surface area of the glass and the idea of warming the wine really does play a difference in the overall smell and taste of the wine.