Fortessa Canada and Schott Zwiesel tasting at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

I will, rather ashamedly, admit that there was a time when even I was not convinced that the shape and size of a glass affected the taste of the wine inside (jam jar, coffee mug, sippy cup, who cares what holds my vino?) But after actually testing wine in various glasses, it became clearly evident how integral a part of wine tasting glassware shape and proportion is. Fortessa Canada and Schotts Zwiesel recently participated in an event with the Alberta Oilmen’s Association which explored this exact topic. Located in the gorgeous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, in beautiful Alberta, the event was not an ordinary wine tasting as it focused just as much on the glassware as it did the wine.

Along with an artillery of four wine glasses from Fortessa Canada and Schott Zwiesel's Cru Classic line and wines from a new Argentinean wine venture, Zorzal, wine connoisseur and writer, Michael Pinkus (also known as The Grape Guy) challenged even the toughest skeptic not to agree that the type of glass affects the taste of the wine (It is safe to say that by the end of the night, there were no more skeptics)

The wine procedure was simple: each wine was first poured into a tasting glass. From there, we poured a little bit of that wine into each of the varying glasses in front of us. We then took turns sniffing and tasting the wine from the differently shaped and sized glasses, testing to see the difference that each glass made while also deciding which wine went best with which glass.

Believe it or not (and if you still don't believe after this, make sure to hit up one of upcoming events!) there was a huge difference in the taste of the wine between the glasses. As Michael Pinkus describes, there really is a whole science to this, having to do with things like airation and how the bulb of the glass spreads the wine and controls where on our palate we taste it (all things that our well beyond my tasting skills) but the easiest way to understand it is to test this out. Grab some wine, some different types of glassware and see, and taste, the difference that proper glassware makes.    

Best wine of the tasting:

Zorzal 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (14.5% alcohol) -  Bold flavours, good acidity and lush texture make this South American Cabernet a delicious hit. Hints of vanilla, black current and pepper. (****)

The Schott Zwiesel CRU Classic Glassware that were used during the tasting included;

CRU Classic Burgundy

CRU Classic Riesling

CRU Classic Chardonnay

CRU Classic Bordeaux

Environmentally friendly crystal

There is no doubt that there is a Green revolution storming the world. Thankfully, people are becoming increasingly more aware of their carbon footprints and the various, simple, ways to "green up" their lifestyles. But while we all know that little changes can add up to big differences, we need to also look beyond our personal lifestyle choices and consider what large companies are doing to help our environment out. It’s amazing how little things, the ones you barely ever think about, can wind up being important matters. Ever think about how environmentally friendly your crystal glassware is? If not, maybe its time.

“Certified for optimal environmental management, the Zwiesel Kristallglas AG strives to protect the natural environment. Our goal is to consume few resources and to make optimal use of energy in the manufacturing of our products, while simultaneously placing no unnecessary burdens on the environment. The certified environmental management system helps us live up to this responsibility.

Zwiesel Kristallglas is certified within the framework of the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system.” (2010 Fortessa Catalogue)

But wait, there’s more…
Schott Zwiesel’s Tritan® glassware is not only an environmentally friendly option but it is also lead and barium free, which means it’s a better option for you as well.

                                                

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