reviit: the perfect shiur

There are various estimates of reviit, the measure that a cup of wine for kiddush or the seder must be. The minimum measure given is approximately 3.3 fluid ounces, or about 86 milliliters. This is strange because based on my chart, 3 liquid ounces is 88.72 milliliters, so 86 would be slightly less than 3 fluid ounces. (According to R’ Moshe Feinstein and the Chazon Ish a larger measurement should be used - 137 ml or 150 ml respectively.) After using a particularly small cup for havdala, I measured it by filling it with water and pouring the liquid into a measuring cup. (It was more than the minimum shiur.)

In the course of searching for the measure of a reviit on the Internet, I came across ewineplanet.com, which is not a Jewish site. They have an article there about the appropriate serving size and method of serving wine:

Glass Size:

A glass should be large enough to accommodate a measure of wine, leaving the glass no more than a quarter or a third full. It the glass is too small or too full, the wine cannot be swirled around to release its aromas; and the glass cannot be tilted to view it.

A normal serving of wine would be around 90ml/3fl oz (one-eighth of a bottle). So a glass should hold at least 270ml/9fl oz. Many glasses designed for red wines hold more. Avoid exaggerated glasses of the sort used in some restaurants where the normal measure of red wine forms a mere puddle in the bottom. These have a specialist use: they promote volatilizing of the aromas in a young wine on the large surface area — but they should not be used with old, delicate wines. A large glass, but not too large, is the ideal for fine red wines. Aim for one with a capacity of 350-400ml/12-14fl oz.

The exception to the size rule is the champagne flute — a tall, slender glass designed to show off the colour and bubbles of sparkling wine. It is filled three-quarters full, presenting a column of wine to be appreciated.

That is, the appropriate serving of wine according to wine connoisseurs is exactly a reviit!