Hey folks,
I have a few stemware questions (who doesn't?). Buying stemware
today is complicated business. Evidently, the days of just two shapes
for wine glasses are over. Now, the popular manufacturers, Riedel and
Spiegelau to name a few, sell shapes specific to types of wines. The
common Spegalau Vino Grande collection, for instance, contains glasses
for Bordeau, Burgundy, Chardonnay, and Champagne.
So let's neglect the carbonated and fortified wines for now, and
consider common red and white types, Old World as well as New. Let's
say that I want to begin my collection with two shapes, one generally
for each color wine. Let's say also that the folks I'll be serving
probably don't understand the subtle differences in shapes, other than
that white wine glasses are generally more narrow to maintain the
contents at low temperatures, and let's also say they have only
moderately refined experience with wines. Thus, I would need shapes
best suited to any wine of the respective
color, compromising characteristics where necessary.
I'm curious to know what in general you would say are the two shapes
suited for beginning a collection of stemware. If you have insights and
experiences on this topic, please email me.
Thank you,
EPL
(remove three b's)

First, please understand that I view this whole "shape" thing with a most
jaundiced eye and am certainly not interested in perpetuating that
discussion at this time. I recently had to buy new glasses and decided on
only 2 shapes; I use and 14oz Bordeaux style glass for both whites and for
robust reds ie; Bordeaux or Syrah type wines; I use a 24oz balloon Burgundy
style glass for lighter reds such as Pinot Noir, Gamay etc.
--
Regards
Chuck
So much wine; So little time!

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