This is the glassware you should be pouring your money into
Your drinking vessel is just as important as what you put in it. So make sure your bar is equipped with the finest glassware you can buy
Words: Russell
After a long day at the office — drowning in deadlines and enduring endless meetings — all you want to do is get home and steel yourself with a stiff drink. But many of us, even though we invest in the best bottles to stock our bar, have dismally overlooked our glassware. And nothing discredits a single malt scotch like drinking it from a novelty mug.
So, to do justice to your finest spirits — not to mention impress at your next dinner party — these are the best glasses to buy for your bar.
For Champagne, keep the bubbles flowing
Flute or coupe? It’s something that sommeliers will argue over forever. But choosing the perfect glass for your bubbly essentially comes down to fullness of flavour. If you want a direct scent and balanced flow of bubbles, these ought to do the trick.
The coupe from The Wolseley is perfect for producing that “fuller” flavour and will bring more fizz to your palate. Alternatively, these two flutes from Waterford — which you should always hold by the stem, gents — will direct the wine’s aroma directly to your nose while you sip.
For white wine, keep things cool
The design of a white wine glass is a delicate two-hander. It is simultaneously created as such to keep your chosen tiple at the perfect temperature, whilst at the same time ensuring the perfect amount of aeration.
This pink-stemmed example from Riedel is perfect for floral whites, and we recommend filling it with your favourite Riesling or Zinfandel. Soho Home have also crafted these fantastic everyday use glasses, which tick all the boxes. Or, if you always reach for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, these fine glasses from Waterford are the ideal vessels; thin-rimmed and with a delicate bowl.
For red wine, bring out the complexities
Red wine’s a tricky one. With its many varieties, each glass brings something different to the grape, teasing out flavours and accentuating textures depending on the style. Put a full-bodied red in a short, wide glass, for example, and it will taste like a completely different wine.
Designed for reds from the New World, this glass from Riedel will do justice to that New Zealand Merlot you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Alternatively, from The Wolseley, these are the exact glasses used in the iconic private dining room, hand blown and beautiful. Or, for a lighter red, these bordeaux style glasses from Baccarat have been designed in an egg shape for a perfect flavour profile.
For cocktails, go for showmanship
If you consider yourself a bit of a mixologist in your spare time, then you’ll need to equip your bar with the best in highball glasses. And, like these fancy tipples, it’s all about presentation.
As such, you can’t go wrong with square cut crystal from Riedel. The ideal vessel for your latest bottle of craft gin, it’s crying out for an extravagant garnish. Or, mouth-blown and hand-cut by the skilled craftsmen at Christofle, these crystal masterpieces also have that twinkle in their eye. Of course, if you’re known to enjoy a Soho Mule from Soho Farmhouse’s talented barmen, these offerings from Soho Home will be ideal for your home bar.
For whisky, keep things sophisticated
Of course, sometimes we don’t have time for cocktails, and we head straight for the stronger stuff. In this instance, the whisky tumbler is the perfect, chic way to enjoy a distilled drink.
Inspired by the Art Nouveau period, these glasses from Riedel will stand out against any drinks cabinet. The parallel linear grooves on these tumblers from Baccarat mean the glass sits perfectly in your hand as you sip your favourite Scotch and the Waterford heritage pattern cut into these tumblers will be recognisable by any connoisseur. Cheers!
Now read our interview with 11th generation glassmaker Maximilian Riedel…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
