Classic Wines

Does the smell of a cork tell you anything? How many different shapes of wineglass should you buy? And what's the deal with decanting? In this episode, the sommelier instructors at The Wine School of Philadelphia discuss how to get the most pleasure from a bottle of wine. And the answers, as always, may surprise you.

Mmm, wine and chocolate. The Classic Wines Minute visits Pinot Boutique, a toy store for wine lovers, where Brian Freedman talks with the owner and samples a cabernet wine chocolate sauce that's out of this world. Join us as we find out just how many accessories there are for wine lovers! We talk about everything from gift baskets and decanters to refrigeration and corkscrews.

The type and size of glass that you use when tasting a wine can absolutely enhance the flavor and aroma of your wine. Today our host, Brian Freedman tastes a Burgundy - Jaboulet- Vercherre 2004 Gevrey - Chambertin. We test this wine in the Taste of Purple Vino2 glass and find out if it does indeed improve the flavor of our wine.

Pinot Boutique in Old City Philadelphia is truly a toy store for wine lovers. They have wine accessories for every occasion - from crystal glassware by world famous Riedel, to decanters, corkscrews, artwork, furniture and wine refrigeration systems. In this episode we visit Pinot Boutique, browse their wine accessory selections, and attend their opening party where their signature Pino-tini's flowed while visitors toured the store.

You don't always have to use a decanter to get more oxygen into your wines. Today, Brian reviews the Vino2 oversized crystal stemware made by Taste of Purple. The right glass really can make the difference in enjoying a wine, in this case the 2003 Luna Vineyards "Canto." So before making your next stemware purchase, take some time to review the difference in quality, materials, size and shape to find the perfect glass for that perfect bottle of wine.

These days, it seems as if there's a different glass for each wine you drink. And some of them cost a fortune! In this episode, Brian tastes a classically styled Laboure-Roi Pinot Noir in everything from fine Riedel stemware to a dollar-store plastic cup. Does the glass make a difference? Watch the episode to find out.

It sometimes seems like there are a thousand rules for appropriately opening and pouring wine. In this program, Brian demystifies the process, and tells you exactly how you're supposed to do it. It's a lot simpler than you think!