FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesAt a Wine TastingLa forma del bicchiere influisce davvero sul gusto?
B2

La forma del bicchiere influisce davvero sul gusto?

Does the shape of the glass really influence the taste?

Pronunciation

Influisce: een-floo-EE-sheh. Third-person singular of influire. Davvero — really/truly.

When to use it

Ask when you notice different glass shapes being used for different wines, or when a sommelier changes glasses between wines. A fascinating topic that reveals real science.

What it means

Influisce davvero is 'does it really influence'. Sul gusto means 'on the taste'. This is a genuine debate in wine — the science shows glass shape affects how wine hits the tongue and how aromas are concentrated.

Variations

Perché il bicchiere da Bordeaux è diverso da quello da Borgogna?

Why is the Bordeaux glass different from the Burgundy glass?

Bordeaux glass = taller, narrower. Burgundy = wider bowl.

Si può bere bene anche in un bicchiere normale?

Can you drink well from a regular glass?

Of course — glass is enhancement, not requirement.

Il bicchiere deve essere pulito senza sapore di detersivo.

The glass must be clean without the taste of detergent.

Residual detergent kills wine aromas — rinse well.

Mini Dialogue

— La forma del bicchiere influisce davvero sul gusto? — Assolutamente sì. Non è marketing. — Come? — La forma concentra gli aromi verso il naso in modo diverso. E il punto dove il vino tocca la lingua cambia la percezione di dolcezza e acidità.

— Does the shape of the glass really influence the taste? — Absolutely yes. It's not marketing. — How? — The shape concentrates the aromas toward the nose differently. And the point where the wine touches the tongue changes the perception of sweetness and acidity.

Cultural Note

Georg Riedel conducted blind studies at University of California Davis showing that glass shape measurably affects wine perception. Italian enologists now routinely use variety-specific glasses in professional tastings. The Sommelier Association (AIS) has its own standardised tasting glass (bicchiere ISO) for objective evaluation.