Ohm Design Announces Exclusive Distribution Of The official Port Wine Glass

THE OFFICIAL PORT WINE GLASS BY ALVARO SIZA

Two years ago, the leaders of the Instituto do Vinho do Porto and Directors of the major Port Wine Houses that produce Port met to discuss the possibility of revitalizing their industry, not by varying their centuries-old techniques, but by fine-tuning the last vessel carrying Port to the consumer  the glass. Various producers had been making glasses of diminutive size for a number of years that were called Port glasses. The IVP and the Port house Directors knew better, and set the laboratory technicians to studying the optimum shape and details of the glass that should carry Port. After months of refinements, a set of design details were agreed upon and Alvaro Siza was called upon to lend the finishing touch to the Official Port Wine Glass. In his design, Siza brought to the fore these very special aspects of the glass, as well as adding his own touch in the detail of the glass stem and base.

SIGHT
The official Port glass focuses the vibrant spectrum of colors and intensity of the Port wines, as well as highlighting the lagrima, or tear, of the wine on the sides of the bowl. The wonderful wine, held aloft above the elegant quadrilateral stem with its distinctive dimple, truly shines. This dimple leads the hand naturally to rest on the stem, away from danger of overheating the wine in the tulip-shaped reservoir. It, and the quadrilateral stem shape, keep the glass from rotating and make for comfortable enjoyment.

SMELL
The official Port glass has a tulip-shaped bowl so as to allow the wine to be swirled without being spilt. The mouth of the bowl is measured to concentrate the released aromas towards the nose in order to best appreciate the subtle bouquets of Port, such as spices, fruits, and flowers.

TASTE
The distinctive features of the official Port glass especially prepare us for the final stage of appreciation in which impressions suggested by Sight and Smell are confirmed in the elegant flavor of fine Port. The wines dryness, structure and persistency can be fully appreciated.

The Instituto do Vinho do Porto in Porto, Portugal was established in 1756 to oversee, verify, and safeguard the entire Port Wine Industry. Housed in a beautiful 18th Century structure near the River Douro, the building houses spectacular laboratories, offices, and meeting rooms in which the business of Port Wine is overseen.


THE ALVARO SIZA COLLECTION BY OHM DESIGN

The Official Port Wine Glass is part of a collection of furniture and object designs by the Pritzker Prize winning Architect Alvaro Siza. The Collection includes Beds, Cabinets, Desks, Lighting, Seating, Tables and Accessories and is exclusively distributed world wide by Ohm Design.

For more information about the Collection, please go to www.ohmdesign.com
For press images, please go to www.ohmdesign.com/press