Govino Shatterproof Stemless Wine Glasses $24.99 for set of eight from Amazon As a wine taster I am always interested in how wine tastes in different glasses. Many times the verdict is simply 'different' - not necessarily better or worse, but rather a personal preference. While I have definitely have my firm favorites I am always on the lookout for different styles, shapes and materials in glassware. Riedel, Spiegelau and Schott Zweisel remain firm favorite brands. They are highly respected and have stood the test of time. Each makes several ranges, so you can gradually ease yourself into the world of fine wine glasses without having to go straight to the most expensive. In seeking out other new styles and brands, I am always on the lookout for glassware that is fun, even a bit different, but that works. However, I do draw the line at many of the brightly (even outrageously) decorated, hand-painted glasses on offer. Not for me personally - a little too much visual distraction and often a discombobulating mouth feel.

Another popular trend, which I am not so fond of, is serving wine in Mason jars. These are perfectly fine for juice, water or soda, but the glass is really too thick to savor wine. That said I did find lots of interesting gems. Govino: One great discovery was the range of tumbler style wine glasses from from Govino, made from a proprietary BPA free polymer (i.e PETG - a clear amorphous thermoplastic). They are obviously not fine crystal, but they are really surprisingly thin and feel good to drink from. The wines I tasted from them were certainly very flavorful. An added bonus is they are also shatterproof, so perfect for large and outdoor gatherings, and reusable. A set of 8 costs $24.99 from Amazon. They are also available from Wine Enthusiast. Libbey: I am also impressed by the improvements and evolution in the range of wine glasses from Libbey. The current ranges are stylish and are made from reasonably thin glass. However, their best ones are quite expensive. Available at WineStuff and Amazon.

Eisch: Another less well-known brand that I particularly like is Eisch - not the cheapest though, a set of two wine glasses costs about $50. But they are elegant, with nice weight to the stem, and they have good-sized bowl to enhance aromas and flavors. Peugeot: Yes, the well-known French car manufacturer is into wine glasses, since 2006 when it acquired a French wine glass producer. If you really feel like splurging out try the "Les Impitoyables" etched range - especially their Champagne flutes, which I so love. But they are pricey at about $100 for a set of two - a great idea for a special gift perhaps. Their Esprit range is about half that price. Stolzle: Another brand I discovered a while back while at a friend's house for dinner was Stolzle. Made in Germany, these glasses are elegant, produced from fine lead-free crystal, and cost about $70 for a set of 6 of the Grandezza range, so not bad less than $12 each. I would love to hear from our readers on their favorite wines glasses and why they like them!

Related: Do Good Wine Glasses Really Matter? 7 Factors Affecting How a Wine Glass Works Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW (Master of Wine), is a New York based wine educator, freelance writer and consultant.The real differences between glass and crystal wine glasses, along with a few important details about choosing the right glassware based on your needs,and how it can affect your wine tasting. Crystal contains minerals (typically some lead) which strengthens it.best wine tour south africa The primary difference between crystal vs. glass is that crystal glass contains anywhere from 2–30% minerals (lead or lead-free). buy usa wine in ukThe key feature of crystal wine glasses is that the minerals strengthen the material, making it possible to produce durable but thin wine glasses.best wine tour south africa

There are many different types of wine glasses to choose from and not a lot of level-headed information on what to buy and why. One of the biggest differences in wine glasses is the material that makes the glass. Crystal vs Glass is the question, and it turns out the right answer really depends on your needs. So let’s figure this out and get you into glassware that you’re going to like and aren’t terrified to use.best light italian red wine Want to know more about choosing a wine glass by its shape? top selling red wine in indiaCheck out this neat infographic about choosing the right wine glassesbest wine club london Crystal glass doesn’t actually have a crystalline structure (e.g. a quartz rock), but the name stuck because it sounds a lot less menacing than lead glass (which is what crystal glass actually is). what is the best wine for chinese food

So for the sake of convenience, we’re going to keep calling it that… you can too. Refracts light (e.g. sparkly)rim can be made very thin Is porous and usually not dishwasher safe lead and lead-free options Typically more affordable ($) Is non-porous and dishwasher safe Borosilicate glass provides high-end durable glass option There are a great many types of glass, so suffice it to say that this article breezes over the basics. buy wine online idThat said, the primary benefit of glass is that it’s non-porous and inert, meaning that it will not absorb chemical aromas or corrode if you wash it in your dishwasher. can i buy wine on amazonMost glass wine glasses will have a lip at the rim for durability which is not a desirable feature for wine enjoyment. This is why glass wine glasses tend to be made and sold more cheaply.

There is, however, one type of glass with some great potential and that’s borosilicate glass. It has high durability, heat and scratch resistance–if you’re familiar with bodum coffee glass mugs, these are also made with borosilicate. Crystal is a bit of a misleading term, it should actually be called lead glass (or mineral glass) because it does not have a crystalline structure. The benefits of crystal is its ability to be spun thin. This is useful specifically for wine glasses at the rim/edge of the glass where it can be very thin, but still quite strong. Lead glass also refracts light, which is quite desirable when ogling your wine. There is another type of crystal that will excite people with dishwashers called lead-free crystal. It’s usually made with magnesium and zinc. Lead-free crystal is not only durable, but many are dishwasher safe. Not that I’d ever put one in my dishwasher, but restaurants do, so you can too! As far as quality, both types of crystal –lead and lead-free, –can be crafted into very fine glasses.

Traditionally, all crystal glass was leaded glass and many of it still is. It’s not dangerous as a glass because wine is not exposed to the glassware long enough to leach lead. This only happens in long term storage, for example if you were to store whisky for over a week in a crystal whisky decanter. In the UK, a glass product must contain at least 24% mineral content. The percentage of mineral matters and will affect the strength of the crystal. In the US, however, there is little regulation associated with the term crystal glass and manufacturers may misuse the term. When choosing wine glasses, the best way to start is to think about your personal situation. For example, if you have kids or cats, then you might want to opt for an affordable glassware solution or stemless glasses that are less likely to get knocked over. That said, if you can have just 1 or 2 special crystal glasses for occasional wine appreciation, they make a big difference in the tasting experience, even if it’s just a feeling.