There's been some talk in Australia about introducing standard wine glass
sizes in pubs restaurants etc.

Beer glasses have been standard sized for decades and glasses have a mark to
show that the proper amount has been poured.

As I recall, the idea is that wine glasses might come in two sizes: for
pours of 120 and 150 ml respectively.

I like the idea - it will ensure that consumers get an agreed amount for the
price.

The other intention would be that drinkers can judge how many standard
drinks they've had. This isn't going to work very accurately as wines here
come with different levels of alcohol content. Let's say typically between
11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume.

(In Australia a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol. For
example, two 150 ml glasses of wine at 14.5% alcohol will deliver
approximately 3.4 standard drinks. Two 150 ml glasses of 11.5% alcohol will
provide 2.7 standard drinks. Formula: size of container in litres X alcohol
content X .789 (Alcohol S.G.). EG For a 150ml glass of 14.5% alcohol.
..15X14.5X.789 = 1.72.)

I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?

Cheers!

Martin

On Jan 2, 3:47*pm, "Martin Field" > wrote:
> There's been some talk in Australia about introducing standard wine glass
> sizes in pubs restaurants etc.
>
> Beer glasses have been standard sized for decades and glasses have a mark to
> show that the proper amount has been poured.
>
> As I recall, the idea is that wine glasses might come in two sizes: for
> pours of 120 and 150 ml respectively.
>
> I like the idea - it will ensure that consumers get an agreed amount for the
> price.
>
> The other intention would be that drinkers can judge how many standard
> drinks they've had. This isn't going to work very accurately as wines here
> come with different levels of alcohol content. Let's say typically between
> 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume.
>
> (In Australia a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol. For
> example, two 150 ml glasses of wine at 14.5% alcohol will deliver
> approximately 3.4 standard drinks. Two 150 ml glasses of 11.5% alcohol will
> provide 2.7 standard drinks. Formula: size of container in litres X alcohol
> content X .789 (Alcohol S.G.). EG For a 150ml glass of 14.5% alcohol.
> .15X14.5X.789 = 1.72.)
>
> I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?

I have not heard of legislated standard wine glass serving on the
federal level in the US. However likely any of the 50 states, and
perhaps even sub-divisions of states, could legislate standard
servings, and perhaps some have. I presume one could make the glass of
any size or shape so long as there is a mark at the standard size pour
level. Or else one could have a measuring glass that could be filled
to a mark and then the wine could be poured into an unmarked glass of
choice. Otherwise, there likely would be many complaints about the
total size of the glass from many wine drinkers.

On Jan 2, 4:47*pm, "Martin Field" > wrote:
> There's been some talk in Australia about introducing standard wine glass
> sizes in pubs restaurants etc.
>
> Beer glasses have been standard sized for decades and glasses have a mark to
> show that the proper amount has been poured.
>
> As I recall, the idea is that wine glasses might come in two sizes: for
> pours of 120 and 150 ml respectively.
>
> I like the idea - it will ensure that consumers get an agreed amount for the
> price.
>
> The other intention would be that drinkers can judge how many standard
> drinks they've had. This isn't going to work very accurately as wines here
> come with different levels of alcohol content. Let's say typically between
> 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume.
>
> (In Australia a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol. For
> example, two 150 ml glasses of wine at 14.5% alcohol will deliver
> approximately 3.4 standard drinks. Two 150 ml glasses of 11.5% alcohol will
> provide 2.7 standard drinks. Formula: size of container in litres X alcohol
> content X .789 (Alcohol S.G.). EG For a 150ml glass of 14.5% alcohol.
> .15X14.5X.789 = 1.72.)
>
> I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?
>
> Cheers!
>
> Martin

Well, while it's true alcohol levels differ (and it could be more
extreme than your examples- an 8% Mosel Riesling vs a 16% Zinfandel
for instance) it at least gives a person the knowledge of how much
they drank, and they should be able to get a closer estimate than if
guessing on amount.
I do find the idea of 120 ml and 150 ml a bit strange- I guess from
bar/restaurant standpoint it lets them choose whether they want large
or medium pours. I'd assume they'd only have one kind of glass. But
I'd say more useful from a winegeek standpoint if a restaurant could
offer a tasting pour (75 ml) and a full glass (150)- and easy to count
if driving. Some winebars here tend to offer that, usually 3 oz and 6
oz.

In message
>,
DaleW > writes
>On Jan 2, 4:47*pm, "Martin Field" > wrote:
>> There's been some talk in Australia about introducing standard wine glass
>> sizes in pubs restaurants etc.
>>
>> Beer glasses have been standard sized for decades and glasses have a mark to
>> show that the proper amount has been poured.
>>
>> As I recall, the idea is that wine glasses might come in two sizes: for
>> pours of 120 and 150 ml respectively.
>>
>> I like the idea - it will ensure that consumers get an agreed amount for the
>> price.
>>
>> The other intention would be that drinkers can judge how many standard
>> drinks they've had. This isn't going to work very accurately as wines here
>> come with different levels of alcohol content. Let's say typically between
>> 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume.
>>
>> (In Australia a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol. For
>> example, two 150 ml glasses of wine at 14.5% alcohol will deliver
>> approximately 3.4 standard drinks. Two 150 ml glasses of 11.5% alcohol will
>> provide 2.7 standard drinks. Formula: size of container in litres X alcohol
>> content X .789 (Alcohol S.G.). EG For a 150ml glass of 14.5% alcohol.
>> .15X14.5X.789 = 1.72.)
>>
>> I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?
>>
>> Cheers!
>>
>> Martin
>
>Well, while it's true alcohol levels differ (and it could be more
>extreme than your examples- an 8% Mosel Riesling vs a 16% Zinfandel
>for instance) it at least gives a person the knowledge of how much
>they drank, and they should be able to get a closer estimate than if
>guessing on amount.
>I do find the idea of 120 ml and 150 ml a bit strange- I guess from
>bar/restaurant standpoint it lets them choose whether they want large
>or medium pours. I'd assume they'd only have one kind of glass. But
>I'd say more useful from a winegeek standpoint if a restaurant could
>offer a tasting pour (75 ml) and a full glass (150)- and easy to count
>if driving. Some winebars here tend to offer that, usually 3 oz and 6
>oz.

UK law is that wine glasses for still wine must be 125 ml or 175 ml or a
multiple of either; in practice, 175 and 250 are most common; quantities
under 75 ml are exempt from control (which allows tasting sizes).
Fortified: 50 or 70. But much more important, in almost all European
countries, by either legislation or custom, the amount is stated. I
have never understood why people in the US tolerate not knowing what
they are ordering until they see it.

Sheila

"Sheila Page" > wrote in message ...
| In message
| >,
| DaleW > writes
| >On Jan 2, 4:47 pm, "Martin Field" > wrote:
| >> There's been some talk in Australia about introducing standard wine glass
| >> sizes in pubs restaurants etc.
| >>
| >> Beer glasses have been standard sized for decades and glasses have a mark to
| >> show that the proper amount has been poured.
| >>
| >> As I recall, the idea is that wine glasses might come in two sizes: for
| >> pours of 120 and 150 ml respectively.
| >>
| >> I like the idea - it will ensure that consumers get an agreed amount for the
| >> price.
| >>
| >> The other intention would be that drinkers can judge how many standard
| >> drinks they've had. This isn't going to work very accurately as wines here
| >> come with different levels of alcohol content. Let's say typically between
| >> 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume.
| >>
| >> (In Australia a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol. For
| >> example, two 150 ml glasses of wine at 14.5% alcohol will deliver
| >> approximately 3.4 standard drinks. Two 150 ml glasses of 11.5% alcohol will
| >> provide 2.7 standard drinks. Formula: size of container in litres X alcohol
| >> content X .789 (Alcohol S.G.). EG For a 150ml glass of 14.5% alcohol.
| >> .15X14.5X.789 = 1.72.)
| >>
| >> I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?
| >>
| >> Cheers!
| >>
| >> Martin
| >
| >Well, while it's true alcohol levels differ (and it could be more
| >extreme than your examples- an 8% Mosel Riesling vs a 16% Zinfandel
| >for instance) it at least gives a person the knowledge of how much
| >they drank, and they should be able to get a closer estimate than if
| >guessing on amount.
| >I do find the idea of 120 ml and 150 ml a bit strange- I guess from
| >bar/restaurant standpoint it lets them choose whether they want large
| >or medium pours. I'd assume they'd only have one kind of glass. But
| >I'd say more useful from a winegeek standpoint if a restaurant could
| >offer a tasting pour (75 ml) and a full glass (150)- and easy to count
| >if driving. Some winebars here tend to offer that, usually 3 oz and 6
| >oz.
|
| UK law is that wine glasses for still wine must be 125 ml or 175 ml or a
| multiple of either; in practice, 175 and 250 are most common; quantities
| under 75 ml are exempt from control (which allows tasting sizes).
| Fortified: 50 or 70. But much more important, in almost all European
| countries, by either legislation or custom, the amount is stated. I
| have never understood why people in the US tolerate not knowing what
| they are ordering until they see it.
|
| Sheila

We are a delightfully adventurous people, great with curiosity.

pavane

On 02/01/2011 21:47, Martin Field wrote:

> I wondered if other countries have legislated wine glass sizes?

In the UK, wine can only be legally served by the glass in multiples of
125 and 175ml. Usually you see 175 and 250ml glasses. Sounds reasonable
until you realise the law also applies to sweet wines. And, even worse,
fortified wines. Many places seem to ignore the law for sweet and
fortified wines though, and get away with it. I also know a small chain
of restaurants that serves smaller measures with tasting-menu-sized
courses, which seems reasonable to me. There are currently proposals
for making wine (and other drink) measure legislation more flexible.

May view is that restaurants should be allowed to serve in whatever
measures they want - but the measure must be specified.

--
www.winenous.co.uk

Until a few years ago the standard measure of wine was the 125ml glass, but now many pubs use 175ml or even 250ml. Experts are concerned that many drinkers unwittingly consume more when they are served a larger glass.