Let’s look at each of the three kinds of wine lists:

Kind of Grape: The list is mainly organized by the variety of grapes used to make the wine, but if may also include location information. In the US it is common to list type of grape and origin, in Europe most wine lists focus on the type of grape.

By Origin: This kind of wine list is arranged by what country it came from and usually has more particular subcategories, like state and regions. So, if you really like French wine this kind of wine list makes it simple to use. You just flip over to the French section of the list and look for what wines are available. The kind of grape used to make the wine may be listed also. In the United States, the kind of grape is almost always listed but in European countries they just assume you understand which grapes are grown in different regions.

By Flavor: This kind of wine list is a pretty new one and it’s categorized by the body and flavor profile. A usual classification could be light-dry-bodied whites. The wines that are in that category could be ordered from fullest to mildest. This will allow you to see the kind of wine you like and then order wine in those same body and flavor category. Your favorite countries or grapes could be located in several different categories.

After you get used to looking at the wine list, they will be a lot of fun. A wine list does not require that you have a special kind of knowledge of grapes or locations, you just need to know what you like.

If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed by complex or unfamiliar wine list, ask the wine steward for help. A good sommelier will try to find just the right wine for the meal you are ordering.

There are a variety of reasons personalized wine glasses are so popular. Even if people don’t drink alcoholic beverages, they’ll still be happy to hold a finely crafted glass or goblet in their hands containing sparkling juice. Just holding such objects provides a feeling of elegance and sophistication that most people love. That feeling is intensified if the object in question is made especially for them.

So how can you find personalized wine glasses, and what makes them so personal? There are a few ways to go about this. First, you could do something as simple as having the name, weeding date, or birth date of the person etched into the glass (or any special saying or quote they love). You could have their likeness etched into it. Or you could have a special glass designed just for them that would look unlike any other wine glass in existence.

You can find companies to take care of creating personalized wine glasses on the Internet or in specialty gift shops at the mall or in your downtown area. When you go in to make your order, be sure to have a pretty good idea of what you want in the way of personalization. If you have a design in mind, sketch it out ahead of time. Also know if you’ll want to buy just one, or several of these objects. Most good shops that do these things will be willing to work with you, as long as you give them enough time between the order and the desired delivery date to do a good job. Once your gift is in the hands of its intended recipient, you can be sure they’ll be delighted, and it will become a favorite of theirs that they’ll use and display proudly for anyone who comes to see them.

Crystal Decanters: Practical & Classy

While using a crystal wine decanter IS a sign of class, it’s also very practical. Some types of wine have a noticeable sediment that some people find unpleasant if it ends up in their glass. This is less likely to happen when the drink is stored upright, rather than on its side in a cellar. If you keep the drink upright in the bottle overnight, you can then “decant” it from the bottle to the decanter without transferring the sediment. That stays behind in the bottle, and what you get in your pouring vessel is a clean, clear drink that can please everyone.

While there are many different shapes and sizes of this type of pouring vessel, not all of them work well for fine wines. One with a round shape is traditional, and allows the drink to breathe so that its taste is kept fresh and unadulterated when it reaches your palate.

You’d be surprised at the wide range of places where you can purchase a crystal wine decanter. Wine stores, of course, are likely to carry them. However, you can also find them in some catalogues, liquor stores, department stores, and at the mall. Some crystal is more expensive than others, but you often can’t tell the difference simply from looking.

The best way to shop for a decanter of your own is to simply look and see what’s out there and pick the piece that best conforms to your personal tastes. It’s likely that no matter what you choose, the mere presence of one of these old fashioned symbols of wealth is sure to impress your guests and make them eager to come back for your next get-together.

Note: The decanter shown here is the Tom Douglas by Pinzon Wine Decanter, Nachtmann by Riedel.

Although the Riedel family had been manufacturing wine glasses since the 17th century, the company and the wine world about 40 years ago. Claus Riedel wanted to invent a drinking cup that would not only look lovely and be functional, he wanted it to actually enhance the joy of drinking wine. Essentially, he wanted to create something entirely unique the world had never before seen. He decided that basic was best, and produced a long, thin glass that was devoid of decoration. Testers universally agreed that the wine seemed to taste better in those simple, unadulterated glasses, and they soon became in great demand on the market.

As Riedel produced more wine glasses, he began to win awards, and even museum curators were asking to display some of his works. As a result, he started making different vessels designed specifically for certain types of wine. He operated on the assumption that certain shapes were better for delivering certain types of wine to the tongue in a way that most enhanced that wine’s flavor. So, for example, he made short cups for port, wide-mouthed ones for burgundy, and so forth. He also created small glasses for all types of wine that allowed the scent of the drink to build up inside, which further enhanced the flavor when it was consumed.

Today, Riedel wine glasses are considered works of art. They’re also considered some of the most desirable drinking stemware to have among those who love the grape. You can still find Riedel glasses in a variety of fine wine stores, as well as online. They’re a bit pricey, but the total drinking experience they provide makes them worth every cent.

Riedel glasses come in a variety of styles and shapes. Amazon’s Riedel Store is a good place to get started with your wine glass shopping.

This map and the others on this site are a start but if you really want to learn more about the geography of French wine, you will need a more detailed guide. A good starting point is the 2007 Michelin Green Guide Wine Regions of France. Amazon has a very detailed description of the 2005 version that is worth reading.

Updated: November 25, 2009