With any hobby there comes the collecting of paraphernalia. The same goes for sipping wine. Riedel (ree-duhl), the wine glass company has created a specialized glass for every style and type of wine, with claims that the wine actually tastes better in their glass than any other. In general, I think wine always taste better when sipped out of cut crystal. I also think Chianti tastes best when dining al fresco in Tuscany. Considering each of these scenarios hardly fit into everyone's budget, here are some guidelines to ensure that with or without cut crystal and a jaunt to Europe, your wine experience will be optimal.

SPARKLING WINES

Let's start with bubbles. The old-school coupe, said to be fashioned after Marie Antoinette's breast, is a crummy home for bubbles. The wide mouth lets the bubbles escape too quickly, and the shallow cup takes away the beauty of the wine. The trumpet, while uber-trendy, trades function for fashion. Sans stem, this glass lets the juice warm up in your hand and the wide mouth lets the fizz fizzle out too quickly. Your best bet is to go for the flute glass. Look for slender stems, a decent bulb, and a nice tapered mouth to keep those bubbles where they belong.

WHITE WINES

While supposedly there is a glass for every white, the differences are so slight you're better off spending the cash on more wine. A 12-ounce, all-purpose white wine glass is suitable for sipping everything from Sauvignon Blanc to Riesling. Be sure to purchase clear, unadorned glass that lets you see what you're drinking.

RED WINES

Reds with all of their tannins and alcohol most definitely need a little room to stretch out and relax. Again, there are glasses made specifically for wines such as Syrah and red Burgundy, but until you've honed your palate, save your coin. The most important must-have for red wine is a good-size bowl (20-ounce) that you can nestle into the palm of your hand. When given the breathing room, reds show off all of those awesome aromas and flavors. Look for an all-purpose red with a larger bowl than that of your white wine glass.

Even with the right glass in hand, you must remember the importance of the pour when tasting your way through the world of wine. Pour your glasses about one-third full. Do not fill your wine to the brim. While a heavy pour may score you points with some guests, you're not doing the wine any favors. Reds, whites, bubblies, and dessert wines all need a little bit of space to show off. Go forth and clink.