Humans have been using glasses and stemware since the earliest cultures of Antiquity, at least in their most primitive form. Essentially, it's a very basic utensil, yet there are countless variations. Today we let ourselves be seduced by design, but do we use them correctly? What type of glass is best for each drink?
Beyond personal preferences, experts in the world of wine, beer, and other liquids agree that to properly taste a drink, you need a specific type of container. The material, color, shape, weight, or size of the opening can affect the perception of aroma and flavor, enhancing or hindering its enjoyment. Which ones are most suitable?
Glasses, stemware, and mugs
The English-speaking world once again proves to be much more practical when it comes to terminology, since under the generic glass or glassware, everything from ordinary tumblers to wine glasses or beer mugs is grouped together.
In our language, a glass (vaso) is, basically, a container for holding something. More specifically, the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) says this in its first definitions:
- m. Concave piece of varying size, capable of containing something.
- m. Container made of glass, metal, or other material, usually cylindrical in shape, used for drinking.
- m. The amount of liquid that fits in a glass (‖ container for drinking).
In artistic terminology, moreover, it is specified that a glass (vaso) is a container whose height is equal to or greater than its maximum diameter, while a stemmed glass (copa) consists of a bowl or cup and a prominent stem. A mug (jarra) also has one or more handles, and may have a pouring spout in its function as tableware for serving and drinking.
Since we began drinking liquids from concave containers, the design and variety of models has evolved greatly, creating an extensive catalog that multiplied, above all, following the dominance of crystal and the rise of the restaurant industry, with its norms and etiquette.
It's difficult to cover all the different types of glasses and stemware used in the world, partly because many designs correspond to specific cultures and traditions closely linked to local drinks. However, we can establish a basic classification distinguishing the essentials and most recommended ones for each content.
Anatomy of a glass or stemmed glass: how does design influence the drink?
If the choice of tableware can influence how we perceive food, the glass or stemmed glass plays an even more crucial role in tasting a particular drink. The material, weight, design, or shape can affect psychological perception but also the very flavor and aromas.
Before we rush to choose where we'll serve our drink, it's a good idea to review the essential parts that make up a container intended for holding beverages.
- Foot, base, or pedestal. Any container needs a solid base to stand on its own - we'll ignore modern designs of stemware that fit into holes or are stuck into the ground. In the case of stemmed glasses, we prefer to talk about a foot.
- Stem, shaft, or leg. This distinguishes stemmed glasses from other glasses and cups; it can be longer or shorter, thin and elegant or thicker, there are even stemmed glasses with a hollow stem to hold part of the drink. The stem allows you to hold the drink without warming it with your hands.
- Bowl, body, or balloon. This is the container where the drink is actually served and held. In the case of glasses, mugs, and stemmed glasses, it makes up almost the entirety of the container. There are narrower and wider ones, straight and cylindrical, or with a curved, angular profile, etc. The internal shape can affect the development of the drink's flavor and aromas, also in the release of carbon dioxide. The thickness affects the temperature and the sensation produced when holding the container.
- Rim. This is the top opening through which it is served and drunk. It can have a diameter equal to the body, narrower, or wider. It influences the creation and support of foam, the release of aromas, the escape of any bubbles, the loss of temperature, and the expansion of flavor in the mouth.
- Lip or edge. Sometimes non-existent, a more developed lip allows for a more pleasant tasting and also better supports any possible foam or helps release aromas better when drinking. It influences how the mouth and palate interact with the glass itself and can affect taste sensations.
- Handle. In the case of mugs and certain cups, the handle or handles allow a solid, firm grip without having to touch the body, thus preventing the container from warming up.
To fully enjoy a drink, we need to properly taste all its aromatic complexity and flavor nuances, and the container can affect how it reaches our palate, particularly the shape and size of the opening.
Aromas are volatile substances that evaporate upon contact with air, and it may be of interest to concentrate or expand them. A wide body that narrows at the rim facilitates the more leisurely development of flavors; if it's tall and narrow, it's perfect for carbonation development; a wide rim quickly releases aromas, etc.
Stemware and glasses for wine
When a novice first approaches the world of wine, they might be surprised to discover that the simple concept of "a glass of wine" hides an almost boundless universe. In reality, this vast variety responds more to the current market and very specific designs, but it's true that different wines can benefit from different glasses.
A good basic wine glass should always be made of transparent crystal, a more elegant and porous material than glass, without strange aromas or flavors. The thinner and lighter, the better, although it will also be more delicate. Classic curved-bottom glasses, tulip-shaped, allow the wine's natural flavors to develop better, although there's now a trend towards innovating with new designs.
Bordeaux glass
A classic glass for serving young red wines and also suitable for whites. It's distinguished by having an elongated body that's narrower than other glasses, slightly rounded in the center, tapering towards the rim but offering a good opening. It's a very versatile design.
Burgundy glass
With a large volume and much more rounded, tapering towards the rim, this glass is ideal for tasting more complex red wines. This rounded shape also allows you to gently swirl the contents to facilitate the release of aromas and its aeration.
A slightly curved edge allows for intensifying the nuances of a fuller-bodied wine with a richer range of aromas. It's a safe choice for tasting slightly superior wines that are worth enjoying with more time and detail.
White wine glass
There are different models, but they are distinguished by having a smaller size than red wine glasses, and they tend to be somewhat more elongated and narrower, but with a rim of good diameter to release the fresh aromas of these wines without problems. Some models have a tall stem despite the smaller bowl volume.
The Chardonnay glass type is somewhat smaller and with a wider rim to better appreciate the more intense fruity nuances of these wine varieties, which don't need to direct or concentrate the aromas as much during tasting. It's also a good option for sparkling wines. A dry white wine, however, will benefit from a glass with volume in the body that narrows at the opening.
Glasses for sweet wines, aperitifs, and tasting
Sweet wines and aperitifs may have specific glasses associated with the drink's own culture, as with Port or Sherry. These are very intense and fragrant wines where it's in our interest to enhance the release of those aromas, which is why the glasses, smaller than wine glasses, direct that richness towards the mouth with a wider bowl that gradually narrows. Variants with a more open rim allow for better expansion of aromas from less intense wines, like a Madeira.
The world of beers
The "people's drink" today presents a paradoxically complex landscape when delving into the types of glasses and stemware available for its tasting. With the rise of craft beers and the expansion of so many international varieties, special editions, limited productions, IPAs, and so on, hedonism has long since settled into the beer realm.
But you don't need to overcomplicate your life to fully enjoy a good beer at home, if you know a few basic points. And you should start by forgetting about drinking directly from the can or bottle, if that's not too much to ask. Whatever the type of beer, it's best served first in a glass, tumbler, or mug made of glass.
A beer needs enough space for foam formation, with a suitable rim that supports it, preserving its texture for a while. The body should facilitate the development of bubbles and flavors, while the top opening should be somewhat narrower than the widest diameter of the bowl, to trap and concentrate the aromas.
More complex beers that call for a more leisurely tasting benefit from wider glasses with a curved profile; those that require a less cold serving temperature can be taken in stemless glasses or stemware. We can highlight the following designs:
Teku glass
Recently created but already causing a sensation, it's made in Germany following the design of a sensory analyst and an expert craft brewer from Italy, who aimed to create the universal standard glass for tasting any beer, emphasizing all organoleptic characteristics.
This glass or stemmed glass has an elegant long stem and an angled body that captures all the aromatics of the beer. It narrows as it rises to offer a somewhat more open aperture with a lip that makes foam formation and retention easier, as well as tasting.
In other words, it's designed to maximize all aspects of any beer, from visual appearance to aromas, flavor, and texture.
The pint glass
A typical stemless glass, with a generous volume and elongated body, with a wide rim to retain a good amount of foam, it remains the preferred choice for drinking British beers. Its design allows you to drink the beer without rushing without losing aromas or flavor, and it's designed for varieties that don't require keeping the temperature low.
It's therefore ideal for drinking ale, stout, or porter type beers, British or American, less recommended for a cold lager.
Tall glasses like Willi Becher, Weizen, and Pilsner
Tall, narrower at the bottom and with a wider rim, these glasses are a basic all-purpose standard for all types of beers, especially the lighter lagers for everyday consumption. Except for Pilsner glasses, they usually have a widening of the body in the middle or upper part, before slightly closing the rim again.
More carbonated beers with less aromatic complexity will be tasted better in taller, narrower glasses, while wider rims allow for better development of foam and flavors.
In Germany, the Stange is popular, tall, cylindrical, and narrow, especially for Kölsch type beers, aiming to generate a good layer of foam and the release of volatile substances. Wheat beers or Weizen are best served in their typical wide-rimmed glass with a curvature that intensifies the aromas when drinking.
IPA glass
Another novel model developed specifically for tasting IPA or India Pale Ale style beers, which have been trending in recent
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