Stemware for Wine

Q: What should I look for in good stemware?

A: While we've all had good times drinking wine from a plastic cup, good stemware has a purpose and these three things in common:

The glass—including the rim—will be extremely thin and clear. This gets you closer to the wine and better able to enjoy its color and clarity.

The glass should be big so there's plenty of room for swirling the wine and allowing the aromas to build. Look for glasses capable of holding at least 12 ounces.

Bowl shape is also critical. An elongated oval shape, curving in at the top, helps concentrate the wine's aromas and directs them to your nose.

—By Charles Smothermon, a food and wine writer in Laurin, Mont.