James Roscoe wrote:Peter,
What does ISO mean? Pardon the newbie question.
ISO = International Standards Organization. It's the international body that maintains standards on everything from fundamental measurements (e.g., the metre, litre, Celsius temperature scale) to computer programming languages.
The ISO tasting glass is also known as the INAO tasting glass. INAO is the Institute Nacionale des Appellations d'Origin, the French government body that administers and enforces the wine appellation system. I think they originally drew up the specifications for the tasting glass and later it was adopted as an international standard.
The glass is tulip-shaped, narrower at the top than at the bottom. It's pretty rugged, and the ones that I have are dishwasher-safe.
It was specifically designed to highlight wine flaws. For applications other than wnie tastings, where enjoyment of the wine rather than its analysis is the priority, other glasses that are more forgiving and more decorative might be more appropriate.
-Paul W.
