| Choosing crystal stemware shouldn't be difficult. All | | | | a narrow bowl. This serves to facilitate the |
| it takes is setting aside a little bit of time in | | | | process of creating the characteristic beads of |
| familiarizing oneself with the different kinds of | | | | the champagne liquid (thus the endearing term for |
| stemware out there in the market today. | | | | champagne, 'bubbly'). The bowl of the glass is |
| Just to be clear, let's define what stemware is. | | | | narrowly designed to reduce the surface area at |
| Stemware essentially refers to any kind of | | | | the bowl's opening which in turn helps to retain the |
| glassware whose bowl (the vessel which holds the | | | | champagne's signature carbonation. |
| drink) is perched on top of a stem (hence, the | | | | Some champagne drinkers prefer the belly or |
| term stemware). It would also have a broad base | | | | tulip-shaped glasses as these are narrower at the |
| called a foot to keep the glassware stable. | | | | midpoint, allowing the retention of the bouquet |
| The stem is really what differentiates this | | | | more than a traditional flute while at the same |
| glassware from other kinds. And while one might | | | | time keeping the ideal conditions for 'bubbling' of |
| assume that the stem was created for | | | | the liquid. A tulip glass also does not need to be |
| ornamental purposes only, it actually does have | | | | tipped as much in order to reach the liquid at the |
| other practical purposes. The primary function of | | | | bowl's bottom unlike the regular flute. |
| the stem is to serve as a handle to the | | | | Cocktail or so-called martini glasses have |
| glassware. This way, one avoids touching the bowl | | | | cone-shaped bowls. They have grown in popularity |
| of the glassware which warms the temperature | | | | in recent times as their use became more |
| of the drink and mars the clarity of the bowl's | | | | commonplace in hip bars and clubs. |
| surface (from the fingerprints left by the hand). | | | | Brandy Snifters or balloons are short-stemmed |
| There are five kinds of popular stemware in the | | | | glasses whose bowl has a wide bottom and a rim |
| market now and these are wine glasses, | | | | that is relatively narrower. The large surface of |
| champagne flutes, cocktail glasses (also called | | | | the snifter allows the drinker to take in the aroma |
| martini glasses), brandy snifters and cordial | | | | of the brandy while the narrow rim keeps the |
| glasses. Of these five, the ones purchased by | | | | aroma inside the glass. |
| first time buyers are often the wine glasses and | | | | Lastly, cordial glasses are used for drinking |
| champagne flutes. | | | | aperitifs and liqueurs. Cordial glasses refer to any |
| In choosing wine glasses, the rule of thumb is this: | | | | stemmed glass that is smaller than a regular-sized |
| glasses for red wine have wider rims and bowls | | | | wine glass. They are often made with thinner, |
| than glasses for white wine. And the darker the | | | | more delicate glass. |
| wine (or the more aged the wine), the larger the | | | | The kind of stemware that one will buy will |
| bowl of the glass should be. Conversely, the | | | | depend on how one intends to use them. After all, |
| sweeter the wine, the smaller the bowl should be. | | | | there is no point in buying something that will not |
| Essentially, wide-rimmed glasses allow for the | | | | be used. Also, in contrast to other types of |
| bouquet of the wine to breathe while narrow | | | | glassware, stemware is normally purchased with |
| small-rimmed glasses serve the purpose of | | | | the intent of being used and not just being |
| concentrating the aroma molecules of the wine. | | | | displayed. Thinking of one's drink preferences |
| Champagne flutes in contrast are always tall with | | | | would definitely be a good starting point. |