Crystal glasses

Crystal glass is glass with added minerals that make it clearer and easier to work. In the past that was mainly lead oxide. Today there is also lead-free crystal glass, made with other minerals. Spiegelau makes its glasses from lead-free crystal glass. What difference does that make at the table?

Clarity. Crystal glass refracts light more strongly than ordinary glass. The wine shows its colour, and the glass sparkles under the lamp.

A thin rim. Crystal glass can be worked thinner than ordinary glass. With a thin rim the wine reaches your tongue straight away, with no thick edge in the way. You judge a glass by its rim.

Sound. Tap the bowl of a stemmed glass gently with a finger and it rings on for longer than ordinary glass. With a thick-bottomed tumbler you hear that less.

Strength. Spiegelau describes its crystal glass as break-resistant. It is still glass, though: a thin bowl on a stem will still break if it knocks against the tap.

Spiegelau makes thin, understated glass, with the shape matched to the drink. For wine there are Authentis, Definition, Hi-Lite, Vino Grande, Festival, Salute and Superiore, among others. For beer there are the Craft beer-glasses and the Festival tulip, for cocktails Perfect Serve and Lifestyle. Most glasses come in boxes of 12, Definition and Hi-Lite in boxes of 6.

Nachtmann makes sturdier crystal glass with a relief pattern, for whisky, long drinks, cocktails and coffee. Bossa Nova, Highland, Punk and Noblesse each have their own pattern. Nachtmann often comes in boxes of 4 or 6, which suits a smaller set at home. Noblesse and Palais also have wine and champagne glasses, and Ethno and Noblesse have glasses for espresso and latte macchiato.

Start with what you pour. Each type has its own page with the glasses, the sizes and how to choose.

• Wine glasses: the overview, with universal glasses such as Definition, Hi-Lite and Apero.
• Red wine glasses: larger bowls that let the wine breathe.
• White wine glasses: smaller bowls, so the wine stays cool.
• Bordeaux glasses: tall, with a straight-sided bowl, for cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
• Burgundy glasses: the wide balloon, for pinot noir.
• Champagne glasses: for champagne and sparkling wine, plus the Vino Grande champagne coupe.
• Whisky glasses: tumblers, cognac, digestif and shot glasses.
• Cocktail glasses: coupette, Nick & Nora, spritz and gin and tonic.
• Highball glasses: highball and long drink, straight or square.
• Water glasses: tumblers and stemmed glasses.
• Decanters and carafes: from 0.25 to 1 litre, for wine, water and whisky.

At home you do not need a glass for every grape. A universal wine glass, a water glass and a champagne glass cover most evenings. If you drink whisky or cocktails, add a set of tumblers or coupettes.

Crystal glasses also make a gift you will not find in the supermarket. A box of 6 Definition or Hi-Lite, or 4 Bossa Nova tumblers with the Bossa Nova decanter, will be on the table for years.

Spiegelau describes its glasses as dishwasher safe. Use rinse aid, place the glasses so they do not touch and dry them with a lint-free cloth. That keeps the clarity you buy crystal for. The price is per glass, incl. 21% VAT. You order by the box of 4, 6 or 12, decanters individually.

Buying for a restaurant, bar or hotel? The approach for each type of venue is explained under hospitality glasses. For hospitality businesses there is a separate professional webshop. You see your prices and terms after signing in.