Choosing the proper stemware is perhaps the most important factor in determining whether or not you are getting the most enjoyment out of the wines you buy. Here at The Wine Emporium we believe so strongly in the ability of fine stemware to enhance your wine experience that we regularly perform a side by side comparison using our glasses versus smaller, less capable glassware. We never tire of seeing the amazement on our clients faces as they are shocked that a wine can smell and taste so different based solely on the type of glass one chooses. This side by side comparison demonstrates that a proper wine glass will act like a megaphone for the wine, allowing for the true character of the wine to be released. Those other glasses, while fit for the more everyday wines, will keep a fine wine more muted and subdued, defeating the purpose of buying fine wine, your enjoyment. Below we have compiled some of the basic guidelines to keep in mind when choosing your stemware.

            When selecting wine glasses there are a few simple rules to follow that will help you get the most out of the wines you drink.

            First, choose glasses that are completely clear, this will allow you to observe and appreciate the true color of the wine. This may seem insignificant but remember a wines color can tell you a lot about the character and style of the wine.

            We also recommend choosing wine glasses with a stem as this allows for easier handling and will ensure that the warmth and aroma from your hands does not interfere with the delicate aromas of the wine.

            Next, the shape of the glass should reflect the style of the wine. This means that red wines, which are fuller and have more structure than white wines, require a bigger, broader bowl to allow the aromatics and body of the wine to be revealed. This process, know as breathing, will help soften the wine as well as to bring out some of the more complex aromas which may be undetectable in smaller glasses. 

           White wines often have more subtle, delicate aromas and benefit from a narrower bowl shape. The narrower wine glass will ensure that the delicate aromas stay focused and powerful, making them more accessible to you. This narrower shape also helps white wines maintain the cooler temperatures (42-52 F) at which they should be served.

           Champagne and other sparkling wines should be served in a more slender wine glass. The slender wine glass or flute accentuates the most important characteristic of these wines, the bubbles. The slender profile also helps in maintaining the intensity and longevity of the bubbles, allowing you to get the true mouthfeel of the wine. Sparkling wines served in red or white wine glasses will lose their sparkle much quicker than if they are served in the proper wine glass.

            When selecting Stemware we recommend wine glasses with a thin cut rim as opposed to the thicker rounded edge. The reason being that with a cut rim the wine truly glides off the glass and into your mouth, whereas with a rounded edge the wine wants to roll around the edge of the rim of the glass.

            Here at The Wine Emporium we have found that Schott Zwiesel Wine glasses meet and exceed our quality guidelines at the most competitive price. We encourage anyone who appreciates fine wine to try out these wonderful glasses. We offer a variety of different styles to choose from as well as both hand blown and machined wine glasses.      
Here is an email we received from one of our customers who recently purchased a new set of glasses from us.
"Hi Tom,
Sorry it has taking me so long to get back to you...I admit...I have been enjoying a lot of red wine out of some pretty cool glasses that I was very skeptical about. The case was successfully delivered to Healdsburg, we used the glasses, all my girlfriends had already been converted to REAL wine glasses so they of course gave me the, 'come on..get with it' look as I sipped and thought and sipped and thought.

It wasn't until I got home and did the taste test that I realized what all the fuss was about. And now, that's all I drink out of!!! I think even water tastes better from those glasses..."