Choosing Glasses

Wine tastes different, and better, when drunk from the right sort of glass. This observation, seemingly esoteric and perhaps even precious, has been proved in carefully-conducted comparative tastings. The important factors in choosing a glass are shape, size and material, in that order. Then comes tradition: most wine regions have their own well-loved shapes and even colours for glasses to suit their local wine. But overwhelming all other considerations is cleanliness. A dirty glass — which need not look dirty but which carries a taint — will ruin any wine.