I am told that we own an excess of glassware. This is likely true—but using an appropriate glass adds much to our enjoyment of beverages. What we have found, after much experimentation, is that the different glass shapes, rim profile and thickness, and bowl volume have all influenced both the nose (aroma) and where the liquid enters the mouth (thus impacting the taste sensations). For us, matching the glass to the beverage became an important part of our meal process. Our glasses can be divided into three groups: everyday glasses, specialized wine glasses, and specialized beer glasses.
In addition to the normal water, juice, and milk glasses, our everyday glassware includes generic wine glasses, both large and small, for use when we are not matching the glass especially to the wine type, and for enjoyment out on the patio. We also stock a variety of espresso and cappuccino cups (including some from 49th Parallel Roasters in Vancouver and Sant' Eustachio in Rome), as well as a variety of sizes of tea cups.
Our specialized wine glass collection comprises mainly of the Riedel vinum series. For us, after doing many side by side glass tastings, this series represented the most reasonable balance of performance to cost. I am afraid to say that we own most of the shapes and sizes, including whiskey and spirit glasses. Over the years many of our friends have enjoyed the glasses with us, and we feel they add immeasurably to our satisfaction and fulfillment of life.
I blame our beer glass collection on two things: the amazing beer store in Amsterdam De Bierkoning for jumpstarting my beer glass collection and the proliferation of micro breweries in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, especially in Victoria. We try to stock appropriate glasses for all of the beers that we enjoy on a regular basis, if not the exact glass at least a similar shape.
An embarrassment of riches, and I love it.