Size does matter: wine glasses are seven times larger than they used to be

[Retrograde]

32. It amuses me in Germany

and some other central European countries to see establishments sell each different brand - let alone type - of beer in its own special glass. At home, I have one set of matched wine glasses that I've managed not to break over the years which I use for small dinner parties for whatever wine I'm serving (and non-imbibers are free to use them for other beverages. After all, they'll have to eat their bouillon with a regular soup spoon and their fish with a non-specialized knife and fork). For larger parties, the guests just have to put up with whatever mismatched glassware is available, most of which has the logo of some event or winery.

IMHO, as someone who drinks a lot of wine, the effects of what a glass is like on what's in it is minimal: I think it's based more on tradition than taste - at least I've never seen any results of blindfolded tastings. I also think it's a form of conspicuous consumption: "Look at me! I can afford a special glass/plate/utensil for each different item! And the room to store them!".