Could a wine glass shaped roughly like a closed tulip blossom revolutionize the savoring of fine vintages by taming the alcohol in the wine?

French luxury crystal glassmaker Baccarat recently began sales of its new line of 'professional' wine glasses in Hong Kong, where wine imports have remained strong on the back of strong demand from mainland Chinese buyers even amid global economic uncertainty. The glasses are shaped like a closed tulip and professes to tame the alcohol in the wine.

The glass has a broad base that evokes the tastevin, a saucer-like cup used by winemakers and sommeliers to taste wines, sloping sides and an unusually narrow lip at the end of a vertical "chimney" that the company says prevents the alcohol from overpowering other aromas since it sinks down when the glass is swirled prior to tasting.

The glass claims to make the aromas and bouquet more subtle, and bring out the mineral taste of wines.

Wine experts agree that given the differences in how "forthcoming" each variety may be, proper handling of the alcohol in fine wines is key.

"Burgundy is very delicate wine, so it needs a larger surface area to release and free its aromas," said Debra Meiburg, a Master of Wine and wine journalist.

– Story via ABC News