Table etiquette is not a simple science. Receiving guests or going to a restaurant, it is worth learning how to navigate the different subtleties and features of table setting and tableware. One of the stumbling blocks is table setting with glasses. There are a large number of varieties and all of them are intended strictly for a particular type of drink.
The main types of glasses
Glasses are all those glass or crystal containers into which alcohol is poured: wine, cocktails, spirits, liquors, etc. They are divided into several main groups:
- glasses for wine;
- glasses for sparkling wines, including champagne;
- glasses for cocktails;
- glasses for strong drinks - vodka, cognac, whiskey or brandy. Such glasses are also called snifters;
- glasses for liquors.
Wine and champagne glasses
The modern culture of wine drinking has its roots in ancient Greece. The Greeks were not accepted to drink wine undiluted, because it clouded the mind. Today this rule is forgotten and wine is enjoyed in its purest form - its taste and aroma. Therefore, wine glasses come with a wide throat so that you can feel the thinnest notes of the bouquet well. The glass is completely filled with wine, departing from the edge of only 1-1.5 cm.
Pink and white wines are usually served in thin glass glasses "tulips" on a high leg with a wide throat. The volume of such a glass is from 180 to 260 ml. White wine can be poured into glasses of colored glass.
Dry red and semi-dry wine is also served in a glass on a thin long leg, but wider and bulk - 200-300 ml. For red wine, glasses of only colorless glass are used.
For champagne, two types of glasses are used on long thin legs. The first is a wine glass flute (160-300 ml). It is long, narrow, with a graceful curve. The second type is a glass-bowl (140-160 ml). This is a flat wine glass with a very wide neck. I often use it to build pyramids at weddings and parties.
Sweet fortified wines, port, sherry served as dessert at the end of the meal in small glasses (80-100 ml) on a low leg, similar in shape to wine glasses for white wine.
Glasses for cocktails
To serve cocktails, several types of glasses are used in accordance with the composition of the cocktail itself. One of the most popular is a martini cocktail glass - on a high thin leg in the form of a wide cone, turned upside down. It serves not only martini, but also other chilled cocktails without ice. The second popular cocktail glass is Margarita. The famous cocktail of the same name and other frozen drinks are poured into it.
The glass of Hurricane is graceful and long, with bends, on a short leg. It usually serves tropical cocktails with umbrellas. Its volume is large - 400-480 ml. High straight glasses Highball and Collins are intended for drinks on ice, juice, soda and mineral water.
