Deb Harkness’s Profile
Recent Comments
Wine and Plastic Cups: Not a Perfect Pairing
Amadeus, please go back and reread the article. I can't find where I ever suggested it was wrong, gauche, or low-brow to drink wine from plastic cups. I did suggest that it wouldn't do much for the taste of the wine. That was my conclusion after the seminar, and I stand by it. And you're right--the environment is a Pandora's box of bad news for wine drinkers.
As for repurposed glass jars, that's what I serve Sangria out of, so like you just because I like my wineglasses that doesn't mean it's all I have or use.
I haven't bought stemware in three years. I bought four Riedel Zinfandel glasses then, and then a set of two stemless Pinot Noir glasses and a set of two stemless Sauvignon Blanc glasses. I think the stemless wonders cost about $20 for a set of 2. That means I spent $100 on wine glasses over the past three years. I haven't broken any of them, and hope not to, so I've got fingers crossed that in seven more years we will have spent the same amount on drinking glasses. I'll let you know!
Wine and Plastic Cups: Not a Perfect Pairing
Dcarl1, I used to think so. Now I see it as an investment. And by the way, I didn't just read Riedel's ideas and then accept them. I actually sat down and tasted the same wine in 5 different glasses. The same wine tasted different in each glass. For me, unscientific though it might be, it was convincing. I've had my Riedel glasses for several years. The first ones I bought I bought because they were on sale and I liked their simplicity. I do have cheaper wine glasses, which I bought and are now taking up cabinet space. I never use them. I think I probably have $100 worth of cheaper glasses--blue ones, pink ones, ones with flowers etched in the side. So which was the better financial decision? And Amadeus482000 I am thrilled that you like wine in plastic cups. Any idea on how much you spend on plastic cups in a given year? Over the space of several years? Do you reuse them, or do they go in the landfills as kitchenbea says above?
Wine and Plastic Cups: Not a Perfect Pairing
Thanks for all the comments. Amadeus482000 is correct--taste is not scientific, it is deeply personal. I am reporting on what I experienced with the wine, just as I do whenever I review a wine for this column. I don't like rough alcoholic wine. If you do, then plastic cups are for you!
See more comments by Deb Harkness »
Recent Posts
See more posts by Deb Harkness »
Recent Favorites
See more favorites by Deb Harkness »
About Deb Harkness
Website: http://goodwineunder20.blogspot.com
Location: Los Angeles, CA
About: I'm a wine blogger interested in everyday wine culture which boils down to finding great tasting, great value wine that pairs well with food. I am a history professor by day, and a wine blogger the rest of the time.
Favorite foods: I haven't met a food I didn't like. My foreign favorites are Indian, Italian, and Spanish. I also love a great roast chicken, tomatoes fresh from the Farmer's Market, and my friend Margaret's Buffalo-style chicken wings.
Last bite on earth: Fresh, handmade pizza and a bottle of simple, Italian red wine. It doesn't get any better than that, does it?
Dcarl1, I'm sorry this article rubbed you the wrong way. I do believe I characterized purchasing glasses such as these as an investment. That's what mine have turned out to be, and I continue to feel that I get a return on that investment every time I have a glass of wine. If you are happy with the glasses you have, then you're all set. Read no further. And I have those re-usable hard plastic glasses, too. I don't like them as much as my stemless glasses for picnics, but to each their own. A lot of people have asked me "does your wine glass make a difference?" What I discovered was yes, it did--to me--and I think it did to the 100 other people at the seminar, too. (no scientific evidence for that claim, but there was show of hands vote and I don't remember anyone raising their hand to say they thought the wine in the paper cup tasted better).