In the store we are frequently asked ' have you any claret glasses?' or 'glasses for sherry please'. We thought it might be of help to show the shapes of glasses available and the drinks associated with them.
Beer Glasses - from the traditional dimpled and handled tankard to the modern plain straight sided. The glass with the rounded top edge makes its easier to grip. You may find this interesting about the shape of your beer glass
Liqueur Glasses - long stemmed, small bowl. Designed for strong drinks that need to be sipped slowly, unheated by the hand and all the aroma kept within the glass
Red Wine Glasses - stemmed with large bowl. Red wine glasses come in a variety of bowl sizes - some taking up to a whole bottle so please be aware when you say 'I only had one glass!' Red wine glasses are rounder and wider to increase the rate of oxidation. As oxygen chemically reacts with the wine it is subtly changed allowing you to savour its complex flavours. The stem keeps the heat from your fingers away from the bowl.
The difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy Glasses is where, on the tongue, the wine touches with each sip.
Shot Glasses: Small, with a capacity of about 25-50ml. Designed for drinks downed in one gulp. Trend is moving more towards using them for starters as a 'taster' of various dishes.
Water glass - plain, simple and large and should best be provided for those who like water and to help dilute any other alcohol offered during a meal.
White wine glasses - smaller that those for red wine and narrower at the top to reduce oxidation. If it is a sparkling wine it helps keep it sparkling longer.
Brandy glasses: Short stemmed with large bowl to sit in the hand traditionally so that the heat from the hand warms the brandy and lets the flavour and aroma develop.
Claret Glass - similar to liqueur glasses
Lager Glass: Tall and slender with a slight flare. Research has shown that those people drinking lager from a straight glass drink slower and therefore drink less than using the traditional fluted glass.
Champagne Flute: Tall and slim with narrow bowl designed to keep the carbonation going for longer. This glass, in comparison with the old style champagne glass, is also more esthetically pleasing as the bubbles gently move up the glass.
Whisky Glass: Short tumbler designed for malt whisky either neat or made into a longer drink. Experts say that a true whisky can only be appreciated when drunk from a tulip shaped glass which you cannot buy from an average shop. So stick to the tumbler.
Sherry Glass: Instantly recognisable by its elongated tulip shape. The larger glass in this style is called a schooner. You can also serve sherry in a liqueur glass.
Margarita Glass:Some say it's designed like this to represent an upside down sombero. There is no definitive explanation to why it has the dip in the centre. It is agreed that its wide rim allows the salt edge to last as you turn the glass with each sip.
Cocktail/Martini Glass: The wide rim allows the display of garnish etc. It's agred it just looks good to be this shape.
