The perfect toast!
Christmas is approaching and the tables are dressed for the holidays.
The time has come to tackle one of the great challenges of home-cooked lunches and dinners: What's the right glass for your wine ? That glass that makes your wine taste even more special!
Let's start with a fundamental principle: glasses aren't just for holding wine, they're like clothing for a wine, and must therefore perfectly match its characteristics. Since there are so many different types of wine, there are over 100 types of glasses... in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials!
We will now see only the main and essential features that the container must have to enhance its contents to the maximum!
We can all agree on one thing, however: the glass must be transparent to clearly and distinctly see the color and other visual characteristics of the wine in question. The top should be made of crystal, which, containing at least 24% lead oxide, gives the glass incredible clarity and a very thin (and, alas, fragile!) consistency.
WHITE WINE
The right glass for white wine has a slightly narrow rim to capture the most delicate aromas, keeping them at their peak. The tapered shape allows the wine to concentrate its aromas toward the nose, inviting you to breathe deeply into that fresh bouquet.
NB: this glass can also be used for rosé wines, for orange wines like our SATRES and even for red wines as long as the latter are young, fresh and not very structured!
RED WINE
Full-bodied and mature red wines, on the other hand, require wide, rounded glasses ( Bourgogne ), whose opening allows for greater oxygenation of the wine, enhancing its olfactory perception.
Even long-aged red wines require glasses with a rounded bowl. The large surface area allows for optimal swirling and oxygenation of the wine, eliminating the need for a decanter and releasing its intense and complex aromas.
For our THESAN (and even more so for our THESAN36 ) the so-called Baloon glass is perfect.
SPARKLING WINE
When we think of bubbles, the classic, very pot-bellied glass or the long, tapered flute immediately come to mind.
But you already know that there are sparkling wines and sparkling wines!! (Read our article here .)
For sparkling wines produced using the Charmat method (such as Prosecco), a thin, slender flute is perfect.
For sparkling wines produced with the Classic Method such as our PRIMA LUX , where the aromas are more mature and complex, the most suitable glass is the Tulipano or, even better, the open Tulipano (also known as Franciacorta), with a wider base and a narrower opening , ideal for concentrating the aromatic bouquet and allowing the bubbles to form and rise to the surface at the right speed.
A final consideration on the coupe glass made famous by Champagne.
Although iconic, these very wide glasses (according to legend, inspired by the curves of the Marquise de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV) have a major disadvantage: the wide opening maximizes the contact between the liquid and the air, This causes the bubbles to disperse too rapidly , carrying with them all the essential olfactory molecules that determine the aroma of sparkling wine. Used until the 1970s, they are now obsolete.
HOW TO OPEN A BOTTLE OF BUBBLES CORRECTLY (AND ELEGANTLY!)
There's always a reason to toast ! And during the Christmas holidays, we toast more than ever! And if you've always been a little shy about uncorking the champagne, here's a quick guide. on how to open it in a perfect and elegant way!
With these little tricks, opening a bottle of sparkling wine will no longer be a problem:
Rule #1: Never shake the bottle before opening it. If it's a gift from guests and has been transported, let it rest in a cool place for at least an hour and a half.
Rule #2 Remove the metal cage that blocks the cap, place your thumb on it and hold the bottle
Rule #3 Be careful because you don't pull, but you Turn ! Grasp the cork tightly, wrapping it in the palm of your hand to prevent it from flying off. Slowly turn the bottle at the base. This way, you'll feel the cork gently release, allowing you to control your movement.
Rule #4: Don't let the cork pop! Hold it until it separates from the bottle. If you've done everything perfectly, you'll have a discreet and, above all, elegant "plop"!
Rule #5: Remember to always have a glass handy! If you were too quick and the foam escapes, you'll be ready to pour before the wine flows out of the bottle.
With these five rules, you'll be ready to make a great impression at your next toast!
Cheers!!