Kitchen Essential

Formerly a full suite of glasses would contain anything from ten to twenty different shapes. Nowadays we make do with far fewer and the rules as to their use are less rigid. There are many different qualities and designs available and it is generally possible to find attractive glasses to suit your budget. There are two main kinds to be aware of, lead crystal and soda glass.

Lead crystal is the most expensive hand-made glass and it contains lead oxide. Because of its high light refraction it displays the contents to the finest advantage, and lends itself best to decorative cutting. Within this section there are several grades, so enquire carefully from the retailer the exact description of the high-quality glass to guide you on price. A printed price list should indicate the grades.

The highest quality contains about 30% lead oxide and is distinguished by the name, ‘Full Lead Crystal‘. The next highest grade is ‘Lead Crystal‘, containing slightly less lead oxide; the third grade is `Lead Glass‘. The higher the lead content the heavier the glass. All such glassware is brilliantly clear, relatively heavy, and will ring with a resonant tone when tapped. This is the table glass you will probably keep for parties only. It can be embellished with various decorations, principally by cutting and engraving. Deep cutting in elaborate patterns produces the most brilliant effect but is, naturally, the most expensive. Intaglio cutting is lighter, and therefore less costly. Beautiful effects are also produced by engraving with a copper wheel or stylus, but the result is more subtle than the bright sparkle of cut glass. The two methods can actually be combined in the same piece.

Soda glass is a more moderately priced glass made from soda ash and silica sand. Nevertheless it can be of very high quality. Soda glass can be hand blown but is more frequently machine-made. It is more often pressed than cut, therefore the edges are not as sharp as lead glass and the light refraction is not as good.

Lead crystal is expensive and it is worth remembering that you may want to add to your set in the future. You are more likely to find that a classic lead crystal is repeatable, whereas modern, fashionable designs are more likely to disappear from the market as tastes in shape and design change. Always ask, when buying, whether the pattern, size and shape will be exactly the same in future batches.

Some glass makers are able to offer the special service of etching a monogram, motif or special design on to your glasses.

Coloured glass

The fine lead crystal glass that we take for granted today has only been generally available for the last 200 years. It reveals the quality and beautiful colour of wine or other drinks, whereas antique coloured glass changes or hides the colour.

Coloured glass can be used to tone with coloured china and to blend or contrast with the colour schemes used for linens and flowers. Antique shops and junk markets often stock old, coloured glass. The warmer colours — amber, tawny pinks and golden yellows — are kinder to the colour of wine than the greens and blues.

Choosing Glasses

For informal meals you need not worry about which shape wine glass to use and for formal occasions the following guidelines can be followed.

The short-stemmed goblet is intended for red wines so that your hand can naturally encircle the glass, so warming it.

Claret glasses are tulip shaped to retain the bouquet.

Burgundies, on the other hand, are best drunk from wider glasses.

White wines should be served chilled in long-stemmed glasses. This is so that the hand only touches the stem and does not warm the wine.

A champagne glass should be a tulip or flute shape to help retain the sparkle.

Sherry and Port Glasses

These glasses come in various shapes but should have a smaller capacity than wine glasses. The copita or small tulip shape is most suitable. Glasses for port, madeira or other fortified wines are not as tall as sherry glasses.

Liqueurs Glasses

Liqueur glasses are tiny, as the correct quantity served is small. Many shapes are available, the most usual being like a miniature claret glass. A large liqueur glass can be used for brandy, but a balloon glass is best as it allows the warmth of the hand to warm the glass and release the aroma to fill it.

Other glasses

Whisky is normally drunk from straight sided tumblers. Neat vodka and other spirits are usually served in small, slim conical glasses with no stems. Cocktail glasses are usually of a wider, conical shape with a stem, as cocktails are usually served chilled or with crushed ice. American highball glasses are traditionally tall and straight-sided. Popular ‘mixed’ drinks, such as gin and tonic, should be served in highball glasses because the tall slim shape helps to conserve the bubbles of the mineral. Beer is served in a large goblet or tankard.

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