Burgundy

The Burgundy glass, for those lovers of this style, is the most important glass to own.

Drinking great Pinot Noir from anywhere in the world out of an unsuitable glass will result in missing out on many of the more subtle aromatic nuances and textural pleasures of this truly great wine style. The large, wide bowl is essential to allow the complex aromas of the wine to harmonise.

A wide lip also helps to rein in the typically high acidity and to accentuate the creamy texture of the wine. Italian red wine lovers will need this glass too, if the great reds of Piemonte, namely Barolo and Barbaresco, rate high on the list. Nebbiolo, the grape variety responsible for these great red wines, is similar in many ways to Pinot Noir and hence needs a similar glass.


Bordeaux

Within the Wine Master collection the Bordeaux glass is perhaps the hardest working. It has to be able to enhance the qualities from a blend of many different grape varieties simultaneously.

In effect, this particular stem will work for any Cabernet Sauvignon of Cabernet France dominant wine or blend; from the Red Wines of the Loire, to the Cabernet Shiraz of South Australia.

Cabernet has a degree of firmness and structure that requires plenty of aeration, while providing one of the most haunting and subtle aromas that the wine world has to offer. The moderately tall bowl focuses the classic black fruit aromas of Cabernet, while the straight, wide rim helps to soften the typically rigid tannins of the variety.

Tuscan wines, such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, also excel with this glass. A very good all-round dinner stem and possibly the most versatile of the Wine Master range.


White Wine

An all-purpose white wine glass designed to accentuate the elegant focused aromas, and fresh incisive flavours of crisp unoaked white wines.

Grape varieties that work particularly well in this glass are Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, in both its dry and sweet forms, and other cool climate whites, such as Soave or Pinot Grigio.

The tall bowl helps to accentuate the lighter, more fruity and floral aromas, while the elegantly curved lip heightens the perception of acidity and freshness in the wine.


Champagne

Champagne and sparkling wines vary greatly in style. Therefore, the communication of the sensory qualities needs to be as neutral as possible so that the glass does not favour one style of champagne over another.

This classic flute is modelled on an elongated professional tasting glass, so that it displays all of the wines facets to the full. The fine crystal bowl shows off the visual fireworks that a glass of champagne provides, and a narrow lip helps jeep the thread of bubbles flowing.

A long slender stem makes this perfectly balanced glass a delight to hold and keeps warm hands well away from the wine.


Tasting Glass

For the serious wine enthusiast, or the tasting professional, there is a strong need for an extremely analytical glass that shows all facets of all wines.

There are several reasons for this. Most importantly, before committing to purchasing several bottles of wine, a good tasting glass will give a frank appraisal of the wine, and will highlight any faults that the wine may have.

Secondly, if you are serious about learning wine you will need a set of tasting glasses that most clearly demonstrate the differences between one wine and another, to give you that all important edge in blind wine tastings. It is this glass, the Wine Master Chef’s Taster that convinced me not only of the functional performance of the glasses. This glass is recommended for tasting of both red and white wines.