SMART THINKING

Selecting the right glass makes all the difference.

Selecting the right glass makes all the difference in appreciating your wine.

For wine and champagne drinkers, a smooth, thin rim is preferable for ensuring a smooth flow onto the palate. This is best achieved with crystal (glass to which minerals have been added) as it can be spun thinner than glass without losing its strength. Crystal has a higher refraction index, which enhances the appearance of wine and champagne: its slightly rougher texture helps stimulate bubble formation in champagne. The flute is the favoured shape for champagne, to help the bubbles form and last longer and allow aromas to develop. A stem also helps avoid warming the champagne with your hand.