What's new at The Loft - Episode 67

Macro 3.6.5. Challenge

Crystal Wine Glass

ISO 1600, f/18.0, 0.3 Second

Stemware is drinkware that stands on stems above a base. It is usually made from glass, but may be made from ceramics or metals.

Stemware includes:

Wine glasses


Champagne flutes


Chalices and goblets


Cocktail glasses (including martini glasses and margarita glasses)


Brandy snifters


Cordial glasses

Crystal stemware comes in different sizes and shapes depending on the intended use. For example a wine glass is a type of crystal stemware which is used to drink and taste wine. It is generally composed of three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot. Selection of a particular wine glass for a wine style is important, as the shape can influence its perception.

Generally, the opening of the stemware is not wider than the widest part of the bowl. The stem provides a way to hold the glass without warming the wine from body heat. Visually, a stem prevents fingerprints from smearing the glass. A new trend for crystal stemware is the "stemless" wine glass which comes in a variety of sizes and shapes as well. These glasses are typically more casual than their traditional counterparts, as they negate the benefits of using crystal stemware.

Except for the wine connoisseur, crystal stemware can be divided into three types: red wine stemware, white wine stemware, and champagne flutes.

 

Red Wine Stemware

Stemware for red wine is characterized by their rounder, wider bowl, which increases the rate of oxidization. As oxygen from the air chemically interacts with the wine, flavor and aroma are subtly altered. This process of oxidization is generally more compatible with red wines, whose complex flavors are smoothed out after being exposed to air. Red wine stemware can have particular styles of their own, such as

• Bordeaux glass: tall with a broad bowl, and is designed for full bodied red wines like Cabernet and Merlot as it directs wine to the back of the mouth.

• Burgundy glass: broader than the Bordeaux glass, it has a bigger bowl to accumulate aromas of more delicate red wines such as Pinot Noir. This style of glass directs wine to the tip of the tongue.

White Wine Stemware

White wine stemware varies enormously in size and shape, from the delicately tapered Champagne flute, to the wide and shallow glasses used to drink Chardonnay. Different shaped stemware is used to accentuate the unique characteristics of different styles of wine. Wide mouthed stemware functions similarly to red wine stemware discussed above, promoting rapid oxidization which alters the flavor of the wine. White wines which are best served slightly oxidized are generally full flavored wines, such as oaked chardonnay. For lighter, fresher styles of white wine, oxidization is less desirable as it is seen to mask the delicate nuances of the wine. To preserve a crisp, clean flavor, many white wine glasses will have a smaller mouth, which reduces surface area and in turn, the rate of oxidization. In the case of sparkling wine, such as Champagne or Asti Spumante, an even smaller mouth is used to keep the wine sparkling longer in the stemware.

Champagne Flutes

Champagne flutes are characterized by a long stem with a tall, narrow bowl on top. The shape is designed to keep sparkling wine desirable during its consumption. The stemware is designed to be held by the stem to help prevent the heat from the hand from warming the champagne. The bowl itself is designed in a manner to help retain the signature carbonation in the beverage. This is achieved by reducing the surface area at the opening of the bowl. Additionally the flute design adds to the aesthetic appeal of champagne, allowing the bubbles to travel further due to the narrow design, giving a far more pleasant visual appeal.

Ok so I'm not even a wine drinker and I found this kind of interesting.  Hope you enjoyed today's picture.  Send me your comments and let me know what you think.  Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.