Drinking Glasses & Carafes

A good water glass is an underestimated piece of furniture for the dinner table. It refracts candlelight onto the tablecloth, keeps a drink cool for a long time, and has a weight in the hand that makes the meal not only more appealing but also more serene. Cheap glasses sound thin and clink when toasting — good glasses have a rich, full tone.

The same applies to carafes, wine glasses, liqueur glasses, the various shapes surrounding cultivated drinking. Each vessel for its purpose, each shape for the occasion — and all together a sign of a well-kept dinner table.

The Manufacturers

Casa Cubista from Caldas da Rainha complements Portuguese ceramics with hand-blown glassware — carafes with a wide base for water in the refrigerator, smaller glasses for aperitifs. Eva Solo from Denmark offers the Scandinavian-minimalist variant: double-walled thermal glasses, carafes with dispensing spouts, functional shapes without superfluous ornaments.

For the world of spirits, NORK Korn und Likör, the fine distillery Sasse, and Dr. Jaglas complement with matching schnapps and liqueur glasses — small, thick-walled, for that short, hot sip in the evening.

The Shapes a Household Needs

• Water glasses — classic 300 ml, in sets of six or more.
• Wine glasses — wide bowl for red wine, slender for white wine.
• Water carafes — with lid, for the refrigerator, 1–1.5 L.
• Liqueur & Aperitif glasses — small, thick-walled, 2–4 cl.

What many learn too late: Good glasses do not belong in the dishwasher — the harsh salts and high temperatures will permanently cloud the glass. Hand wash in warm water, dry with a dishcloth (half-linen, to avoid streaks), then place upside down in the cupboard. This way, glasses retain their shine for decades — and the drinking experience remains the same every evening as on the first.

See also: Tableware & Plates, Cups & Mugs.