It's "clear" to me

When I hold a glass of wine up to the light, I am able to see the intensity of the color! In the case of red wine, I sometimes see rich ruby tones or even a richer clay-like hue. The color comes from the structure of the wine, or 'architecture' if you will. So much has gone into the making of each glass of wine as growers and winemakers alike have put their hearts and souls into the construction process. I have to admit that I am a bit fussy about the type of glass in which to serve my wine. Whether or not you believe that the shape and structure of a glass has any effect on wine, the logic behind it does make sense. Each vintage is completely different and you can maximize it's qualities with the right glass. Just as wine has 'structure' so do the vessels of glass that you drink from. I have noticed that when wines are higher in alcohol and served in bigger bowl glasses, the fruit can be lost or diffused, and so a narrower glass might be the solution to help pull the wine back and down to size. When a wine is too young or intense I have found that using a larger bowl glass can expand the flavors and relax the impression. This does not just apply to red wines as some white wines can also be overpowering and too dense or oaky and would benefit from a bowl glass as well. In the case of a Champagne flute, the bowl most likely will resemble the shape of a trumpet or be very narrow which is due to the belief that the shape will retain the 'sparkle' by reducing the surface area. It is also interesting that one reason for long stems on wineglasses and Champagne flutes is that the drinker can hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink! Georg Riedel represents the tenth generation of glass makers in a family in Austria that has made glass stemware for over 300 years. In this video, Georg Riedel explains how and why the shape and size of a glass can make a difference in wine. My rule of thumb is to have at least a few different sizes and shapes of wine glasses to choose from so as to try and match the wine to the glass...no need to go overboard and buy a glass for each and every varietal! Traditionally, red wine glasses should have a wider, rounder bowl and while white wine glasses vary, they will tend to be a little shallower and narrower. Just for fun, try your favorite wines in a couple of different glasses at home and see if you can detect a difference. Also, next time you are out at a restaurant, notice the shape and size of glass they choose to serve the wine you ordered! Is it enhancing the experience? Trust your own instincts when it comes to choosing a wine glass!
As we head into the Holiday party season, here are some reasonably priced suggestions for the festivities:

Roederer Estate Brute NV $19.99
A lovely, tightly structured Sparkling Brute from Mendocino.

Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2008 $10.99
Ultra-Rich wine with attractive stone fruit and a touch of oak.

Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2007 $21.99
A medium bodied Pinot with dried strawberries and a hint of spice.

Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $25.00
A rich ripe-fruited Cabernet with a great balance of spice and earth.