La Rochere glassware

A GLASS FOR EVERY WINE?

Alongside these standard glasses, there are others, traditional or specially designed to enhance a particular type of wine. Sometimes inspired by traditional glasses, major glass manufacturers such as La Rochère have, after years of research, created a series of glasses designed to optimise the tasting of wines from the world's great appellations. However, it is not essential to have one wine glass for each appellation, and, as is generally agreed, white wine glasses are smaller than red wine glasses. For sparkling wines, a flute such as the La Rochère champagne flute bee is preferred. In addition to these classic glasses, a Bourgogne glass and another for port, sherry and liqueur wines can be added. Only the water glass can be free in its shape and material. There are also special glasses for tasting. For professional use, these highly technical glasses have the essential quality of bringing out the defects in a wine.

TRADITIONAL LA ROCHERE GLASSES

In most wine regions, there is a glass that is considered ideal for tasting the local wine. These glasses have an undeniable charm because they are part of a local tradition. When using them, the main concern is to respect the past and, sometimes, to be original. It is often a question of celebrating thirsty wines without much concern for oenology.

THE CHOICE OF LA ROCHERE GLASSWARE

To promote tasting, the glass must satisfy the requirements of the eye, the nose and the mouth at the same time. Wine tastes different, and better, when drunk from an appropriate glass. The most important elements to consider when choosing a glass are, in order of importance, its shape, size and material.

 - THE SHAPE OF THE GLASS FROM LA ROCHERE

The chalice of a wine glass must first of all be convex, in the shape of a closed tulip. Its rim should curve inwards to catch the wine's aromas and channel them towards the nose. A glass with a shallow "belly" will offer too much surface area of wine to the air and will not be able to retain the aromas. Half the pleasure of tasting will be lost. The stem of the glass must be long enough to be held without the fingers touching the chalice. Indeed, a glass of fresh white wine warms up quickly in contact with the hand.

 - THE SIZE OF THE BEE GLASS

The glass should be large enough to pour enough wine into without filling it more than a quarter or a third full. If the glass is too small or too full, the wine cannot be turned to release its aromas and cannot be tilted to observe it. The normal amount of wine served is about 9 cl (one eighth of a bottle); the ideal capacity of a glass is at least 28 cl. Some restaurants have much larger glasses - avoid them at home to avoid the unpleasant feeling of having just a drop of wine in your glass. These glasses have a special purpose: their large surface area helps the aromas of a young wine to volatilize, but they should not be used for old and delicate wines. A large glass with a capacity of 35 cl is necessary for the best red wines served at their peak.

- THE MATERIAL OF THE GLASS

It must be transparent, smooth, without facets. Coloured glasses make it difficult to see the colour and intensity of the wine. The ideal material is the finest crystal. Crystal gives optimal clarity and its fineness allows you to see what you have in your glass without any distortion. These criteria seem simple, but how can we scientifically explain why it is more pleasant to taste a wine in fine crystal than in an ordinary glass? Comparative tastings have convinced experts that the fineness of the glass contributes to the pleasure of tasting. Nevertheless, the material is less important than the shape or size, and many wine lovers give up expensive fine crystal glasses: the fear of breaking them ends up spoiling their enjoyment. And the La Rochère bee wine glasses are handcrafted, in fact the pressed glass stemmed glass of the prestigious French brand is decorated with four bees, they are the symbol of Napoleon's leather goods.

At frenchconnoisseur, find almost all the range of the La rochère glassware in australia : the bee glasses and the la rochère cofee mugs.