Glassware and Stemware
Which Glass for Which Drink?
What would you say if served expensive champagne in a beer mug? Glass shapes have been connected with certain beverages for centuries to enhance their taste and quality. As a basic guide to shapes:
Glassware for Serving Wine:
(red and white wine glasses)
For medium and dry wines, glasses with a rim tapering inward should be used.
The LARGER wine glass is used for red wine and filled only halfway in order to develop taste and bouquet.
The SMALLER wine glass is generally sed for white wine
Glasses with an outwardly tapered rim are ideal for sweet or rose wines.
Glassware for Serving Water:
The largest glass referred to as water goblet may be used as a large wine glass or water glass.
Iced Beverage and also Highball can be used as a water glass.
Stemware for Serving Champagne:
The long tapered flute champagne glass encourages the drinker to hold the glass by the stem to prevent warming the champagne.
Glassware for Liquer:
This small glass shaped like a small wine glass is used for after dinner liqueurs. Also called a cordial.
Glassware for Serving Brandy:
The balloon shaped glass for brandy captures its bouquet. The shape and short stem allows the glass to be cupped by the hand so the contents are warmed and the bouquet released.
Glassware for Serving Mixed Drinks:
Tall, slim glasses are easy to handle for mixed, long ice drinks. A shorter glass or "Old Fashioned" is also used for on-the-rocks drinks.
By learning which glassware go with which drinks, you can maximize the taste and zest of the drinks and at the same time be knowledgeable about glassware and stemware!
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