First of all, Kerry Washington's character, Olivia Pope on the hit television show Scandal, is an amazing woman who knows how to get the job done.
We've been anxiously awaiting the return of the 3rd season and boy was it a HOT return! So, why does Olivia Pope always use the biggest wine glasses ever!? It all depends on the type of wine you are enjoying.
Ms.
Pope must be drinking a Bordeaux or even a Burgundy or Merlot.
Wines with high tannins, such as the robust red wines, need larger glasses that allow more air to come in contact with the wine.
By allowing wine to mix and mingle with air, the aromas will open up, the flavor profile will soften and mellow out a bit and the overall flavor characteristics will improve.
This is why some people choose to "aerate" their reds.
Aerating is to supply with air or expose to the circulation of air.
There are special tools that wine enthusiast use in order to aerate, although my father in law always says you don't need those fancy tools to aerate! He suggests holding the bottle about 8-10 inches above the glass, and with a sturdy hand, slowly pouring the wine right into the middle of the wine glass.
This motion does a great job of separating the wine and making those cool little aeration bubbles.
Exactly what you'd get from one of those fancy tools.
Conversely, glasses best used to enjoy white wine have a more narrow rim to protect the wine from coming in contact with too much oxygen.
Having a narrower opening decreases the exposed surface area, ultimately keeping white wine chilled longer.
(Tip: White wines should be chilled before serving, not freezing cold, but chilled.
Red wine can also be slightly chilled, but is best at room temperature - Red wine is not very good when freezing cold).
Another great tool, besides an ice cube, are the new wine chillers that look like a long stick of ice that you stick into your wine bottle.
Some wine critics believe that the taste profile of the wine will change depending on what type of glass you're using.
I agree for the most part, it makes me cringe when I see someone drinking wine out a plastic cup! However, I think if you're drinking out of any glass, you will enjoy your wine! Cheers to you!