Glassware Buying Guide
There’s nothing like a worldly host or hostess who knows the appropriate glass or stemware to use for any particular wine or spirit. The proper brandy snifters, champagne flutes or martini glasses suggest refined living and panache of those serving their guests. Below you’ll find glassware buying tips so that your next party will reveal a well-read and socially forward host.
There are many types of wine glasses and each is designed to be used with a particular wine. Bordeaux glasses are
shaped so that when a sip is taken, the vessel will direct the wine to the back of the mouth, where the taste buds are most appreciative.
White wine glasses usually have a smaller mouth to keep the rate of oxidation down. Since many white and rosy wines are sparkled, they’re best served out of those glasses that retain the nutty or sometimes fruity flavors.
Sherry glasses are similar to white wine glasses, but with slightly longer vessels and shorter stems. The bowl slowly tapers towards the lip of the glass. They’re ideal for serving sherry, port and liqueurs.
Dainty with a tall and narrow bowl, this stemware used for serving champagne or champagne cocktails. Their more compact bowl areas retain the wine’s carbonation. Usually a bit thicker than other stemware, it’s designed to ensure the heat off one’s hand doesn’t impede the bubbling carbonation.
Shorter stemmed than champagne flutes, the bowl is designed to be wider at the bottom gradually becoming narrow nearer the top. This design allows the aroma of the brandy to remain in the glass and encourages one to hold the wider bottom area in his hand to warm the drink. Although a snifter can hold up to seven ounces, no more than three ounces should be dispensed at a time.
Tumblers are flat bottomed, come in a wide selection of sizes and are used to serve mixed drinks, or liquors “on the rocks” (meaning with ice). Tumblers are also used to serve water, tea or any other non-alcoholic drink.
