Certainly you have come across a table with different types of bowls and glasses, each used for a specific drink. According to the rules of etiquette and, also, for a better appreciation of each drink, there are certain types of glass that are ideal for certain occasions.
Many people believe that these rules and conventions are bullshit and preciousness, however, experts say that the correct cup or glass makes the liquid to be tasted in a more intense way and, therefore, sharpens the palate and provides a more pleasurable experience.
Whether by whim and care when preparing a table, out of desire to know more about the subject or out of interest in tasting the drink and get the best experience, knowing what types of glasses are appropriate for each occasion is very interesting!
We have prepared this article so that you have a practical and simple guide to the most common types of bowl in our daily lives. Follow the reading and stay inside!
What’s behind the shape of the bowls
Before getting to know the types of bowl, let’s understand what each part of a bowl is and what it is for. This will help us to understand how the different formats work to sharpen the taste of each drink.
It sounds simple, but the cup is responsible for driving a drink to a person’s mouth and, in that time, also bringing its aroma to the nostrils to complete the experience. Therefore, all parts of a bowl have a specific function. The four elements that make up the bowls are: rim; bulge; stem and base.
Check out what each one is and what it is for!
Hoop
The rim is the upper part of the bowl, the opening of the « mouth » and the place that we touch to drink the liquid. The size of the rim depends on the type of drink, but that part of the cup is responsible for regulating the concentration or dispersion of the drink’s aromas.
Bulge
The bowl of a cup is the place where the drink is served, the body of the cup. The size and shape of the bowl are specific to each liquid and they help to enhance the colors and flavors of the drink.
It is ideal that the bowl of a glass, especially wine glasses, is transparent, since the visualization of the color of the drink is part of the drinking experience.
Stem
The stem is the part where we hold the cups and it is important to prevent the heat from our hands coming into contact with the drink deposited in the bowl and changing its temperature. Therefore, the correct way to hold a cup is always by the stem!
Base
The base is the bottom of the bowl, it is the structure responsible for supporting the shape of the bowl and allowing it to stand.
Glass, crystal or glass crystal? What you need to know about the material of the bowls
The material from which a cup is made influences its appearance, elegance and also relates to the experience of tasting a particular drink. The different types of bowl can be made, basically, of three materials: crystal; glass and crystal glass. The difference between them is in the lead content present in its composition.
Crystal bowls have a higher lead content and glass bowls do not contain this metal. Lead gives lightness to the bowl, in addition to providing greater delicacy and sonority to it. Thus, the lead allows the bowls to have a thinner and more elegant thickness.
Crystal glasses are also more porous and, therefore, assist in the process of concentration of aroma of wines. So, if you want to get the most out of a good wine experience, crystal glasses are the best choice.
The most valuable tip, regardless of the material you choose for your bowl, is that the bowl is completely transparent. As we have already seen, seeing the liquid is essential to complete the tasting experience.
Now that you know all about the shape and material of the bowls, it’s time to learn about the main types of bowls! Follow the reading and check it out.
Types of water bowl
The bowls used to serve water are intended to preserve the temperature of the liquid and prevent the heat from the hands from heating the water very quickly.
Usually, glasses of water and wine are very similar, so many people are confused. However, the water bowls have larger bowls and are always located to the left of the wine on a table.
Types of beer glass
The different formats of beer glasses found on the market aim to enhance the tone and foam of the drink. Beer glasses usually have a longer bowl and smaller diameter than wine glasses, however, they have a shorter stem.
Each brewer, especially craft beers, usually indicate the appropriate type of glass for that composition. Recalling that the bowls seek to enhance the flavor, aroma and concentrate the foam of the beer in order to preserve the temperature and physical characteristics of the liquid.
Bowl types of wine
Without a doubt, wine glasses are the ones that cause the most confusion for those who do not know much about the subject. But calm down! After reading this article you will never again confuse any of them!
According to experts, wine lovers should have at least 4 types of wine glasses at home: glass for sparkling wines, glass for white wines and two types of glass for red wines. Next, you will get to know each one of them.
Red wine glasses
The most striking characteristics of red wines are related to the much more intense and accentuated flavor and aroma than other types of wine. For this reason, red wine glasses should allow the highlighting of these aspects and, for this to happen, they must have a larger bowl and a shape that allows the wine to be stirred inside the glass.
There are two basic types of glass for red wine: Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Bordeaux Cup
The shape of this glass is ideal for full-bodied and tannin-rich wines, such as wines: Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot; Cabernet Franc; Tannat and Syrah. The bowl of the Bordeaux bowl is large and, combined with the more closed rim, allows a greater concentration of aromas inside the bowl.
In addition, the shape of the rim was designed so that the wine is brought to the tip of the tongue and, thus, the fruity flavors of the drink are tasted before the tannins.
Burgundy Cup
This glass was made for more concentrated and complex wines such as Rioja, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Barbera Barricato and Amarone. The Burgundy cup has a balloon-shaped bowl and allows the wine to have more contact with the air, a fact that causes a faster release of the drink’s aromas.
This glass was created for more aromatic wines and it has a smaller stem and a larger bowl and rim than the Bordeaux glass.
Glass for white wine
The white wine glass has a shape created to keep the wine temperature cool, therefore, it has a longer elongated stem and a smaller cup. The smaller rim of the white wine glass allows the liquid to reach the tongue and balance the sweet and acidic components of this type of wine.
The shape of this glass is also suitable for wine consumption rosé.
Glass for sparkling wines
Sparkling wines and champagnes have different characteristics and, therefore, require a type of glass that is appropriate for the consumption of these drinks. The most common cup is the cup flte and it has an elongated shape, a thin bulge and an enlarged base to avoid being knocked over.
The shape of the bowls flte directs the aroma of sparkling wines to the nose and allows greater appreciation of the bubbles present in the drink. In addition, the elongated bowl helps to balance acidity and keep the liquid temperature cool.
Joker cup
Popularly known as the joker cup, the ISO cup gets its name for allowing the proper tasting of different types of wine. It was created with the aim of providing an option to people who do not wish to invest in various types of bowl.
The ISSO cup is small, has a larger bowl and a more closed rim, thus helping to perceive the aromas of different types of wine.
Did you like the article? Leave your comment below! Do you prefer to have a glass for every occasion and drink, or do you prefer the most versatile option?
