The glass on the right is the tasting glass that comes with the entrance ticket to the Hong Kong Wine Fair; the one on the left is an ISO tasting glass. Yes, there is an ISO standard for a wine tasting glass - ISO 3591:1977, which states that "the tasting glass consists of a cup (an "elongated egg") supported by a stem resting on a base. The opening of the cup is narrower than the convex part so as to concentrate the bouquet." Specifications and dimensions were given for versions with capacities of 120 (for sherry), 210, 300, or 410 mls. It should be made of transparent glass, no color, and it will be made of “half-crystal”, that is having a percentage of lead of about 9%.
All this is designed to present the wine in a standard manner to the taster, but not necessarily the best one. Other glasses may accentuate the most desirable characteristics of a certain wine in a pleasing manner, so that maximum enjoyment may result from using that particular glass design. Sometimes the ISO glass actually worsens things for a wine. The most glaring example is with sparkling wine, because it releases the bubbles too quickly.
There is of course the ultimate taster for blind tasting, a completely black and opaque glass, which denies the taster the benefit of evaluating its appearance. But that is another tidbit for another day!
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