RIEDEL Winewings

First choose between white and red, as that is the clearest distinction. The 73.6 cl Chardonnay and 74.2 cl Sauvignon Blanc are the more compact bowls for white wine, with the Sauvignon Blanc narrowing more toward the rim to preserve its freshness. The 101.7 cl Riesling is the largest and is intended for aromatic white wine.

For red wine, the range goes from the 86.5 cl Syrah through the 95 cl Pinot Noir to the 100.2 cl Cabernet. The more full-bodied the wine, the taller the bowl. Keep in mind that these glasses will not fit in every kitchen cabinet; measure your shelf before ordering. The wider selection can be found under the large wine glasses.

Pour less than you normally would. Because of the flat bottom, 12 to 15 cl of wine already covers a large surface area, and pouring more makes the layer thicker, eliminating the benefit of the design. The ideal level is one finger above the bottom.

Swirling works differently in this glass: keep the foot on the table and rotate it with short movements, because a flat bowl sloshes more easily than a round one. The 74.2 cl champagne glass is wide enough for a Champagne Cocktail with a sugar cube at 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 you're looking for a glass with a ribbed interior instead of a flat base in this range, visit the RIEDELbrand page. The full selection by type of wine can be found under red wine glasses and white wine glasses. If you want to store an opened bottle properly until the next evening, you'll find the corresponding stopper under wine stoppers, alongside the models for sparkling wine.