RIEDEL Winewings

Start by choosing between white and red, because that is the sharpest dividing line. The 73.6 cl Chardonnay and the 74.2 cl Sauvignon Blanc are the more compact bowls for white, with the Sauvignon Blanc tapering more narrowly to hold on to the freshness. The 101.7 cl Riesling is the largest and intended for aromatic white wine.

On the red side it runs from the 86.5 cl Syrah via the 95 cl Pinot Noir to the 100.2 cl Cabernet. The more robust the wine, the taller the bowl. Bear in mind that these glasses do not fit in every kitchen cupboard; measure your shelf before you order. The wider range can be found under the large wine glasses.

Pour less than you are used to. Because of the flat base, 12 to 15 cl of wine already covers a large surface, and pouring more only thickens the layer, which cancels out the advantage of the design. The right height is a finger above the base.

Swirling works differently in this glass: keep the foot on the table and turn with short movements, because a flat bowl sloshes more readily than a round one. The 74.2 cl champagne glass is wide enough for a Champagne Cocktail with a sugar cube on the bottom, or for a French 75 where you want to be able to smell the lemon.

The stem is long and slender in proportion to the wide bowl, so this is a series you lift out of the cupboard with two hands. When drying, hold the bowl rather than the foot, so no twisting force reaches the stem.

The glasses are made of lead-free crystal and may go in the dishwasher. Use a basket in which the bowl cannot tip, because the wide base catches more water pressure than an ordinary bowl.

If within this house you are actually after a bowl with a ribbed inner surface rather than a flat base, take a look at the brand page for RIEDEL. The full range by wine style can be found under the red wine glasses and the white wine glasses. If you want to keep an opened bottle in good shape until the next evening, the right stopper is among the wine stoppers, alongside the models for sparkling wine.