(image credit: Cupcake Vineyards)
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re probably well aware of how popular stemless wine glasses have become. They’re durable, casual, and sleek making it an easy item to love. In fact, stemless wine glasses are one of Beau-coup’s most popular items!
With so much stemless love going on, we dedicate today’s post to the stemless wine glass. Joining us in this discussion is Jessica Tomei, Director of Winemaking for Cupcake Vineyards.
Jessica is a third-generation Californian with a bachelor’s degree in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis, one of the country’s most respected universities for the study of winemaking. Her impressive resume includes work with hugely recognizable wineries like Robert Mondavi in Napa, California. But today she’s representing Cupcake Vineyards, a California Vineyard with an extensive portfolio of finely crafted wines. They too, like Beau-coup, take great joy in celebrating life’s many small moments.
We’re honored to be featuring Jessica’s expertise on this subject matter, so without further ado…
(image credit: Beau-coup)
Some people worry about their hands warming the wine when using stemless ware, what do you recommend to combat this issue?
Wine is warmed through a transfer of heat from the hand to the wine, so, if possible, you should get in the habit of placing your glass down after taking a sip.
So how exactly does the role of temperature affect wine?
Serving wine at the recommended temperature is actually very important because the right temperature will bring out the intended flavor profile, character and aromas in your wine – all adding to your wine drinking experience.
Lots of people use “room temperature” as their gauge when serving reds, but they’re most likely serving wine that is too warm. It’s perfectly fine to chill your red wine to get it just right, which is usually 60° to 65°F.
Generally speaking, white wine should be served at around 50°F, so 30-45 minutes in a fridge or ice bucket should bring your bottles down to a reasonable temperature.
What is your recommended way to holding stemless wine glasses?
Stemless wine glasses can be held around the bowl, but should be placed down often to minimize warming.
Who is an ideal candidate for stemless ware?
I believe that wine shouldn’t be intimidating, or viewed as something for formal occasions only – and stemless wine glasses are ideal for everyday occasions.
While stemmed wine glasses look elegant, they can also break easily and be difficult to store. Stemless glasses are convenient and can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy clean-up after entertaining family and friends.
What event/type of environment is most recommended to pull out the stemless ware?
It’s not uncommon for a Tuesday night dinner in my household to turn into something special with a glass of Cupcake, and I believe it’s these small moments that bring great joy. Since you don’t need an occasion to drink wine, stemless wine glasses can be great for casual get-togethers, book club, or just a Tuesday night!
Do you recommend certain types of wine for use with stemless?
Since red wine is best served at a warmer temperature, there is less of an issue of warming when drinking red wines out of stemless wine glasses. As for the recommended varietal, that depends on your wine preference. For me, there is nothing better sipping a glass of Cupcake Pinot Noir while watching the sun go down behind the California hills.
How do you recommend one swirl the wine without the stem?
[Laughing] Very carefully! Without the stem to hold on to, one would need to hold the glass by the bowl and make small, circular motions with their wrists. If you want to practice swirling without the mess, pour some water in a stemless wine glass and try different techniques.
What exactly does swirling do? What should one look for during swirling?
The swirling ritual allows oxygen to mix with the wine, which will cause the wine to “open up.” As the wine opens, it gives off its aromas, giving you a preview of what’s to come when the wine is tasted. For instance, if one were to swirl a glass of Cupcake’s Red Velvet they would enjoy a bouquet of chocolate, deep dark blackberries and luscious red fruits that follow through to the palate.
Should pour size be adjusted with stemless vs. stemmed ware?
I would recommend a standard 5oz. pour in both stemless and stemmed ware.
Thank you Jessica for your wine expertise! All this wine talk is making us thirsty… If you’re still thirsting for more wine 101, then check out our post about how to pair wine and cheese. Cheers!
