Looking to mix up the ordinary happy-hour nights out with your friends? Sign up for a Riedel Crystal wine tasting at one of the local sipping spots.

You will discover, as I did last weekend at Urban Enoteca, that the size and shape of a glass really does affect the aromas and your perception of wine. We tasted four wines — 2007 Cote Bonneville Chardonnay DuBrul Vineyard, 2009 Cave B Riesling, 2008 Fielding Hills Syrah Riverbend Vineyard, and 2008 Fidelitas Columbia Valley Cabernet. We swirled, sniffed and sipped each wine in the correct Riedel glass and then again in other glasses, and the difference was amazing. It’s fun, educational and a great conversation-starter at your next cocktail party or at the office water cooler.

Check Urban Enoteca, The Local Vine and other Seattle-area wine spots for their next Riedel tasting. Or follow RiedelUSA on Twitter. Warning: Once you’ve tasted wine in a Riedel glass, you might never go back.