STEMWARE
WILLIAMSON WINE APPRECIATION
Stemware
Exceptional wines deserve a clear, well-shaped glass and very little ceremony.
The right glass gives wine room to open, gathers its aromas and helps a fine bottle tell its whole story.
A few well-chosen shapes will serve most of the wines you love. Start with a good everyday glass and build from there.
WHY THE GLASS MATTERS
THE GLASS IS PART OF THE WINE
Shape, space and a fine rim influence what reaches your senses.
A generous bowl leaves room to swirl, while a tapered opening helps gather the aromas. A fine, smooth rim makes each sip comfortable, and a stem lets you hold the glass without warming the bowl.
Try the same wine in two different glasses and compare the aromas. Your own nose and palate are good guides to the shape you prefer.
THE ESSENTIALS
FOUR THINGS THAT MATTER
Show the Wine
Clear, undecorated glass lets you see the wine’s color, brilliance and development.
Give It Room
Choose a bowl large enough to swirl a modest pour without decorating the table—or your shirt—with Cabernet.
Gather the Aroma
A bowl that narrows toward the rim helps gather the bouquet where your nose can find it.
Feel Comfortable
Look for a stable base, a balanced stem and a smooth, fine rim. A good glass should feel comfortable in your hand and at your lips.
BUILDING A USEFUL COLLECTION
CHOOSE FOR THE WINES YOU LOVE
Begin with one versatile shape. Add others as your table and cellar call for them.
EVERYDAY
One Versatile Shape
A medium-sized, tulip-shaped universal glass is a sensible starting point for white wines, rosé and many reds.
Choose enough for the way you entertain. For easy everyday care, look for glasses clearly marked dishwasher safe.
CABERNET & BORDEAUX
A Taller, Generous Bowl
A larger, taller Bordeaux-style bowl is a useful choice for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. It gives the wine room to open while a tapered rim gathers its aromas.
Add this shape if structured reds are regular guests at your table.
PINOT NOIR & RICH CHARDONNAY
A Broad, Rounded Bowl
A generous, rounded Burgundy-style bowl is a useful choice for Pinot Noir. It can also suit richer, oak-aged Chardonnay.
Let the wines you open most often decide whether this extra shape earns its place in the cupboard.
For sparkling wines: A tulip-shaped glass gives bubbles and aromas room to show. A good white-wine glass is also a practical choice, especially for fuller, more complex sparkling wines.
SETTING THE TABLE
PUT OUT WHAT YOU WILL USE
A beautiful table should invite people to sit down and make themselves comfortable. For an informal meal, one wine glass and one water glass are quite enough.
When several wines are being served, arrange the glasses above and to the right of the plate in the order they will be used. Leave room to reach the bread, pass a dish and enjoy the company.
GLASS CARE
CLEAN, CLEAR AND FREE OF AROMA
A wine glass should smell of nothing before the wine goes in.
Dishwasher
Check the maker’s instructions first. Wash only glasses marked dishwasher safe, and position them so they cannot knock against other items.
Use the recommended glass-care cycle and a stemware rack if available. Open the door after the cycle to let moisture escape.
Hand Washing
Use warm water and a little mild dishwashing liquid. Rinse thoroughly so no detergent, grease or fragrance remains.
Handle the bowl gently and avoid sudden temperature changes. Support the part you are cleaning without putting pressure on the stem.
Polishing
Use two clean microfiber cloths. Cradle the bowl with one while gently polishing it with the other. Support the base separately when polishing the foot.
Never hold the base and twist the bowl; the strain can snap the stem.
A WORD ABOUT RIEDEL
GOOD GLASSWARE, SENSIBLY CHOSEN
Riedel helped establish the modern idea that glass shape should follow wine style. Its collections offer useful examples of how different bowls can serve different wines.
Explore the shapes, compare how they feel and choose the glasses that suit your own table and cellar. Follow the care instructions supplied with the collection you select.
THE WILLIAMSON RULE
LET THE WINE SPEAK
A clear glass, a good bottle and a place at the table. That is where the pleasure begins.