In seminars around the world, representatives of glass companies are spreading their gospel of glass and converting even the most skeptical of wine drinkers. What they are preaching is this: if you’re serious about wine, you should be serious about your stemware. Wine simply tastes better in better glasses, they say.

Wine glasses have always been crucial for wine tasting among aficionados. “Good glasses bring out the best in wine,” says Khun Tiwa Yenwattna, the Premier Sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’s renowned Le Normandie restaurant.

In addition, it’s not enough to buy the highest-quality stemware you can afford—you also should be buying the right glasses for the wine you are drinking. Most of us are aware of the “three glass” rule: one for Champagne, another for red wine and a different one for white. But top producers of stemware such as Riedel, Spiegelau and Zwiesel 1872 offer a wide range of glasses that include some designed for appellations (areas, such as Bordeaux) and varietals (grapes, such as merlot).

Can science really re-engineer the way we enjoy our old grape juice? Or do we just think a certain glass makes a wine taste better because it’s prettier—or more expensive?

The Basics

The characters of each and every wine can be distinguished by color, aroma and taste. The complete wine tasting experience is all about enjoying these three elements Wine glasses are meant to offer smooth delivery from the bottle to you.

Material. Because of its color, sight is the first sense wine appeals to. Feel free to judge the book by its cover, observing the color and the consistency of the liquid will roughly indicate age and types of grapes, or even alcohol content. Wine aficionados swear by colorless, transparent, and unadorned glasses, just the bare essentials.

Stem. Wine is a living thing, and performs best at a certain temperature. Any heat interference will undesirably hinder aroma and taste. The glass stem acts as a buffer between you and the wine to prevent your body heat from being transferred to the content inside the glass. Plus, it also allows you to hold the glass comfortably without leaving greasy and smudgy fingerprints, which would prevent you from truly appreciating the wine’s beautiful color.

Size. The point is that the glass should be able to hold a sufficient amount of wine and allow you to swirl it around without spilling it, in order to release the bouquet. It’s a careful balance between being big enough to hold a good portion, containing the aroma, and yet releasing it to your nose.

Shape. The shape of a wine glass defines its purpose. The egg shape or tulip shape, where it is wider at the base and narrower at the rim, will form an air bubble containing the wine’s bouquet and increase the intensity of it toward your nose. When it comes the time to experience the love at first sip, a thin and polished lip will carefully direct the flow of wine to the proper area on your tongue. The thinner the better.

Methods and Materials

Traditionally, glassware was made by artisans who blew the glass into the desired shape. Nowadays, industrial automation has become more conventional. The handmade/mouth-blown method is believed to be superior to machines due the superior craftsmanship of glassblowers that produces thinner walls and lips.
Crystal is both colorless and allows for unadorned glasses, but the popularity crystal enjoys is mostly courtesy of its uniquely reflective surface, especially for lead crystal. Lead increases shininess as well as density compared to typical glasses. The end result is strength and a more polished appearance. Unfortunately, the beauty of lead crystal comes at a price, as it has been linked to food safety issues (see below).

Get the Right Glass

Wine tasting is as subjective as things get. Sommeliers (professional wine tasters) have lent their expertise to glassmakers to make stemware that brings out the best in each wine, capture its essence, and create the perfect harmony between wine and glass. New breeds of wine glasses are now available that promise to maximize your wine tasting experience through the use of touch, sight, smell and taste.

Cabernet Sauvignon and merlot, red wines famous for their strong flavor and full to medium body, are best drunk from tall, wide-bowled glasses, for example. Glasses with even wider and larger bowls help to reveal the delicate bouquet and light to medium body of pinot noir. Also, due to pinot noir’s sweetness and low levels of tannin, the lips of pinot noir glasses are designed to direct the flow of the wine to the tip of your tongue, where tastebuds that sense sweetness are located. The same rules also apply to glasses for white wine. So a chardonnay glass might be slightly taller than a sauvignon blanc glass to flatter its oak and toasty personality.

Does this mean we should all run out and buy a different glass for every wine that we plan to drink? Most of us aren’t so sophisticated about wine that we worry about a wine’s toasty personality being lost in the “wrong” glass. And even if we accept that our wine-drinking experience would be different with a different glass, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it would be a better experience. In the end, your choice of wineglass is like wine itself: it’s about what you can afford—and what makes you happy.

Get the Lead Out

Lead crystal may release lead into the food with which it comes in contact. On the plus side, the amount of lead in crystal is typically well below the maximum allowable amount by law. Regardless, there are steps you can follow to minimize any possible risk:

1. Use lead crystal only when serving, not storing.

2. Soak your new crystal glasses in vinegar for 24 hours and rinse thoroughly before using.

3. Wash by hand with mild detergent. Dishwasher detergents can damage the surface of the crystal, causing more lead to be released.

Tender-Loving Care

The following tips will guarantee your investment will last a lifetime—assuming you don’t drop your investment, that is.

1. Wash glasses under warm water, detergent is optional

2. Dry them by placing on top of a towelupside down

3. For extra shine, steam over boiling water

4. To polish, use two linen tea towels. Hold the glass at its base and polish by using your left hand to cradle the bowl while polishing with your right hand. Never twist the base and bowl, which could cause the stem to snap.

Holding the glass to the light is the best way to check for its cleanliness or any leftover smudges.

The Contenders

Riedel

Sommeliers Collection (B3,300-4,800)
This Austrian-based crystal maker has been around since 1756. It is considered to be one of the most trusted names for both amateur and professional wine enthusiasts. Its Sommelier Collection is widely used by several major hotels and resorts worldwide including Le Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. The Collection features large wine-specific tailored selection of handmade / mouth-blown full-lead crystal stemware. Available at Emporium and Siam Paragon.

Spiegelau

Adina Collection (B,1400-1,500)
Recently acquired by Riedel, its collection features large selections similar to its sister company, however, at lower prices. Adina Collection offers handmade / mouth-blown non-lead crystal stemware for cautious spenders. Available at Emporium, Siam Paragon and Central Chit Lom.

Zwiesel 1872

The First Collection (starting from B,2,300)
Enrico Bernado, an award-winner from the world sommelier competition in 2004, has helped create this extensive collection of 18 wine glasses and 2 decanters. The collection won the RedDot Design Award in 2006. It is handmade / mouth-blown non-lead crystal. Available at Emporium Siam Paragon, Central Chit Lom and Zen.

We all need to find an outlet and learn how to let go. Flexibility and adaptability are necessary in today’s crazy world.

Attention and time management are the key to professional accomplishments, particularly if you are juggling various jobs (like me). The ability to completely isolate each of them is crucial to minimize mix-ups.

Passion combined with luck and opportunity is what it takes to fulfill your dream.

I admire all my colleagues, past to present. As far as actors go, I am impressed with Janet Khiew’s professionalism and multiple talents. Mayura Savetasila, Theng and Nong Therdtherng are also on my favorite list of people to work with.

Physical preparation might not be as essential as mental preparation. Your mind has to stay focused.

Prevention is the best solution. It is hard to fix something when the damage is already done.

When it comes to career options, opportunities are what make all the difference. I consider myself relatively fortunate for all the opportunities presented to me.

Spending time with myself brings peace of mind. When seeking advice, I turn to myself. Upon understanding the situation, who else would be able to figure it out better than I!

I am a risk-averse person when it comes to managing my money. Stashing my money somewhere in the back of my closet or letting it sit in my bank account give me a sense of total control.

True happiness comes from within. The rest is just icing on the cake.

Follow your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right or sound right, why bother taking the plunge?

When faced with problems or challenges, I never give up. It’s natural to get discouraged, but there’s no need to feel miserable. Dust yourself off and carry on.

I might have achieved fame and wealth at a certain level, but I consider myself anything but successful. I am just happy to be where I am now.

I see myself retiring at around 50. I’ll probably go behind the scenes. The conventional idea of retiring is just not for me.

I can be a bit of a serious and a private person when not in front of the camera. My fans might mistakenly think of me as unapproachable, which does not do justice to my true personality.

I am an avid reader. My favorites are history, mystery and epics.

My motto is sincerity, ambition and passion. I have been following this philosophy, and it has shaped what I am today.

I am in love with what I do. People who don’t have any pride for their profession are just terrible.

Life is full of surprises and uncertainty. The only sure way of minimizing any potential damage is take all the necessary precautions.

Parenting is not something to be taken lightly. You can’t really have an eye on your kid 24/7. Good moral foundations are the way to help your children differentiate the good from the bad.

You can’t leave your children in a dungeon in today’s world. Exposure to multiple cultures will do them good. It will educate them and provide them with a better understanding of what is going on in the world. I don’t want to make them feel left behind.

Golf is a game that requires a lot of practice and dedication. When I am not traveling playing tournaments around the world, I spend a lot of time practicing and preparing.

It is not easy to become a professional golfer and I want to provide kids with the opportunity. Normally, in the morning I go to my golf academy and spend time with the junior players that I support. This is really important for me.

I presently provide full support for 20 kids with all of the training facilities, equipment and golf apparel. They are all from my hometown and this is really my way of giving back to the sport and to my
community.

I grew up near the Army Golf Course at my hometown of Lopburi. As a teenager I would spend time with my friends around the golf course and find balls that players lost. Then I became a caddie and started to learn more about the game. I would go on to the course at night to play when no one could see us.

I think those early years when it was not easy for me to play gave me a great sense of appreciation for the game. This is why I really put my heart into the golf academy.

I joined the Army and trained as a paratrooper, working hard for about 10 hours every day. I received two great gifts from that training—physical fitness and an understanding for discipline.

I was also very fortunate to have had very kind people who supported me fully when I did not have the means to make the jump from an amateur to a professional golfer. It costs a lot of money in the beginning.

I know that if you work very hard at something and you really put your mind and heart in it, you just may achieve it.

To play the Masters was a dream. You see, for me to come from playing at night at the Army Course to walking along the flawless fairways of Augusta National—it was a long road! But it was also an amazing road. Being invited to play the Masters, it is like I had arrived!

On the golf course, I try not to get ahead of myself. I just play one hole at a time. I also really believe that if you can learn from your mistakes, you will improve.

I am very appreciative of the fact that the fans are interested in how I am doing. I feel honored and it gives me a great incentive to continue to work hard and try my best to improve each day.

When your fans support you, you feel responsible for them, close to them and want to do well for them. This is why I love to play here in Thailand.

For 2007, my main goal is to finish the year in the top 50 in the European Tour Order of Merit. This is a tough goal, but I feel that I have a chance of achieving it. If I can do it, it will lead me into my long-term goal in golf, which is to play full time in the PGA Tour in the USA.

To represent Asia is a tremendous honor. I was very proud to be part of the inaugural Royal Trophy. When you think about it, it was truly historic.

Where do you usually go?
On my regular workday, I pedal through Sipraya and all the way to Yaowarat.

What do you buy and how much do you make?
I’ll generally consider anything as long as it is in a decent condition. What is on my shopping list ranges from office paper, cardboard boxes, scrap metal, used furniture, old magazines and plastic bottles. I have to refuse anything in really bad condition. I am not a trash collector. I make about B6,000-7,000 per month. It doesn’t make me rich, but it’s sufficient for a normal existence.

How long have you been doing this and why?
I was a construction worker. Providing all the necessities to my family was a challenge. Being the head of the household looking after my wife and three kids, the financial burden was just too much. So, I started looking for a new opportunity to make ends meet. It has been approximately 10 years now.

What do you like and dislike about your job?
It was a lot harder working in construction. The positives range from slightly higher income to increased flexibility. However, with this there are no guarantees. It is not unusual for me to go home empty-handed.

What do you do with all the stuff you collect?
I just pass it on to the middleman, who will eventually pass it on to the recycling factory.

What is your opinion on today’s society?
This society is crooked. It is a bit worrisome, particularly being a father myself. I have come to the conclusion that education is extremely important. It is a safe bet that your kids will put it to good use. I take myself as an example of what not to do. Being a fourth-grade dropout hasn’t left me much room in society to choose my path. Life is tough.

Due to the time constraints of the magazine business, the luxury of working at my own pace is just barely feasible. Regardless, I don’t compromise my standards for anything. I don’t generally take much time to complete each illustration.

I have been doing this for almost 30 years, and there is no sign of slowing down.

I don’t think of what I do as work. I simply look at it as a way to relax and reward myself by doing what I love.

I never run out of ideas. It is somewhat like what you would typically do on an everyday basis—eating, sleeping, drinking...There are no glitches. I just start it off with a blank piece of paper, and take it to another level.

I consider myself to be fortunate to have discovered my potential at an early age. I was aware of my strengths and weaknesses early on, which helped me carve out what Chirathorn is all about today.

To my surprise, my skills and knowledge today are a translation of my childhood pastimes. My childhood was filled with activities, from drafting cartoon characters out of newspapers to playing with paper dolls to flipping through international fashion magazines. Those activities are what I can relate to today as an illustrator, fashion stylist and fashion designer.

Knowledge of my limits didn’t surface until my adulthood.

Constant exposure of my artwork has created a vast amount of publicity, which has led to other opportunities, particularly for good causes. My involvement with business organizations—UNICEF, Tops Supermarket, and McDonald’s just to name a few—has generated large contributions to charity organizations.

It might surprise you that I have no knowledge of computers. However, I manage to teach Graphics for Advertising at Chulalongkorn University by appropriately utilizing my eyes for art. My criticism and input is more important to the students than my computer skills.

I am drawn to the fact that my lack of computer skills has separated me from the majority. Isn’t that strange? Sometimes, it is all about opposites attracting. People seemingly admire what they can’t do.

Life is short. I’d rather choose to do what I can do best.

I can see the association people make between Martha Stewart and me. She, however, is commercially and financially oriented, while I head for the total opposite direction.

I like to do things that feed positive energy like being a teacher.

I am a social person. I am stimulated by conversation and interaction with people. It gives me energy.

Certainty is uncertain. That is a fact of life.

I am a highly contradictory person. The work that I do displays a variety of color, however, I prefer basic colors like gray, black, beige and white.

Design doesn’t have to be overly accessorized with unnecessary items. Muji and Gap are my favorite brands. I am a fan of Calvin Klein’s minimalism.

You are the one most accountable when it comes to finding your own style. Decisiveness is also equivalently important.

My philosophy is to believe in myself.

What interests you in reality TV? Is this a case of career burnout?
This is just me taking a break from the music world. Since the transition from Bakery to LOVEiS, the repetitiveness and overworking took a toll on me both physically and professionally. I was searching for new inspiration and visions. As far as a career on TV, how can a man who can’t act set foot into the acting world? That would leave me with the only option, reality TV.

How did you come up with the show?
It all started from a shopping trip for a motorcycle with my son. Then, it just turns into my free-time favorite with several of my friends getting involved. One thing led to another, and the next thing we knew is we started putting it together into a TV production.

What is behind the concept of Dreamchaser?
This TV concept is relatively new in Thailand with hybrid between reality and documentary. It is more in-depth documentary with fresher presentation. The show is about people whose dreams become goals and then become realities. These are the people who think outside the box, and favor less conventional approaches in life. Throughout the trip, we will be able to explore each destination and participate with the locals. Being an observer is not on our agenda, but rather being a partaker. We have set the bar high for ourselves, and hope the show to be a source of inspiration for our audiences.

What is the focal point of the show?
With the combination of both reality and documentary, the show is able to offer its originality of unscripted, uncensored and unplanned production. The variety of my guests—just to name a few, J Montonn Jira, Boyd Kosiyabong, and Nana Reibena—will also present a wide range of interests for our audiences.

The concept of the show is really similar to Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Round.
I had heard of Long Way Round before, and the format and presentation of both shows are fairly similar as far as riding on motorcycles traveling around. I faced the same kind of criticism when releasing my albums. Regardless, what really matters is that you just give it your best shot and deliver the best to your fans.

What is your next project after the completion of the show?
Being in the music industry is my childhood dream, which has been fulfilled. At this moment, I am detached and ready to take on any opportunity. My family is also extremely important to me. I am planning on getting more involved with my family’s business. I am getting interested in real estate after watching The Apprentice.

What is behind the concept of Venus Flytrap?
Naughty: Sony BMG had this concept of five gorgeous transgender ladies who can do it all, from singing to dancing. This creates wholesomeness and a girl-next-door vibe, which people can easily relate to. We have whatever it takes to become the next big thing.

Who is your inspiration?
Naughty: Fashion models such as Sarah Malakul, Cindy Sirinya Burbridge and Lukked Methinee.
Posh: Jennifer Lopez, definitely. She is well-rounded and excellent at everything she does, from her singing career to dancing and even acting.
Cool: The superstar quality and exotic looks of Beyonce inspire me to be like her.
Sweet: Tata Young, whose combination of singing talent and confidence has made her a household name.
Hot: Bird Thongchai.

I see lots of resemblance to the Spice Girls.
Sweet: This is purely coincidence. Venus Flytrap has its own individuality based on our personalities, with an added Asian uniqueness.
What have you been up to since you all got together?
Sweet: Singing, dancing and training lessons to prepare for the launch of our album.
Posh: We are striving for perfection and make no excuses for our mistakes.

You don’t even have an album out and already people are saying bad things about you. What do you want to say to the critics out there?
Naughty: We are all unique individuals. Fans and foes are all expected. However, it is our intention to do our best.
Sweet: Some people might consider us bad role models, but they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. What we put on the table is what we do best as professional entertainers.

Describe Venus Flytrap in a few words.
Naughty: Stunning, loveable, deadly and untouchable, just like a Venus flytrap.