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Try to imagine a trick of the nose and tongue which had you convinced you were drinking different wines, when in actual fact the only changes made were the glasses you were tasting from: the wine remained constant. This is the revelation you experience during a Riedel Glass Tasting Experience where, quite literally, glassware is shown to both enhance & diminish your wine perceptions.

The process is experiential; playing with your senses as wine is passed from glass to glass; allowing the revelation to unfold. First the wine is tasted in its designated glass then tasted again in others, with your perception of that wine altered at each change over: the balance shifts, qualities may appear dulled or even absent, dimensions are lost, indeed what tastes great in one glass can seem almost mediocre in another.

The tasting began with the Sauvignon Blanc glass: Michael asked "where was the liquid delivered?" to which the reply was "the tip of the tongue". And why so? To experience the fruity sweetness first rather than acidity, which is more accentuated on other parts of the tongue. Next was the large Montrachet glass. In this case, with a much broader rim, the glass delivers wine right across the tongue: oaked Chardonnay suddenly becomes a full mouth experience.

On to the voluptuous Burgundy Pinot Noir glass, designed to reveal the nuance of the heartbreak grape. Our palates are taken on an aromatic journey as the various layers revealed themselves. Since "70% of taste is olfactory" there is plenty of room in this glass to fully satisfy the nose. Then, finally, the Bordeaux glass. As tannins can be over-emphasised on the back of the tongue, this glass delivers to the front instead. This graphic difference was then demonstrated by transferring the Cabernet to a Montrachet glass: you only need to try this once.

Neil Hodgson described decanting as "the ability to transform wine further, beyond what the correct glass can deliver". Decanting young red wines in particular can open them up and tame overpowering tannins. And of the several Riedel decanters he demonstrated - "they do what they are supposed to: they don't drip, safe to hold, a beautiful piece of art glass & just so functional".

"Just because a glass looks like it can hold a bottle of wine - well, don't!" Michael emphasised. "These glasses are designed to provide ample headroom. Wine is to be smelt as well as tasted, so if you can't get your nose in the vessel you won't get the full experience".

Riedel glass design is determined by its intended function: each shape highlights the best qualities of the wine it was intended for, providing the perfect balance. Being practical objects, the best way to appreciate these glasses is to use them - feel the curvature in your hand, the fine rim against your lip, the visual pleasure of their beauty.