Nachtmann Palais

With Palais, pay attention above all to the capacity, because it is lower than you may be used to from a modern series. The wine glasses measure 18 and 23 cl, sizes meant for a poured glass per course rather than for a bowl you swirl at length. The 14 cl flute follows the same idea. Alongside them are two tumblers of 26.5 and 28.8 cl, the largest of which is intended as a whisky glass, and a cocktail glass of 20 cl with a wide open bowl. Anyone looking for larger wine bowls will be disappointed by this series and is better off looking at the white wine glasses from other series.

At a dinner with several courses, set the glasses in order of use, from the outside in. Pour into the 14 cl flute just before the toast, so the bubbles are still lively. A Champagne Cocktail starts with a sugar cube on the bottom onto which you drip bitters, after which you slowly pour in the champagne. The 20 cl cocktail glass is wide enough for a shaken drink with a foam collar, such as an Espresso Martini. Whisky goes into the 28.8 cl tumbler, with or without ice, and the glass sits comfortably in the hand.

Palais is lead-free crystal glass with a smooth wall, which makes care simple: there is no cutting in which limescale can settle. The glasses may go in the dishwasher, provided they stand apart and the bowls do not touch. With hard water, rinsing afterwards is wise, because a thin layer of limescale turns clear crystal grey. Dry with a linen cloth rather than a terry towel, which leaves lint and streaks on the smooth wall.

Other series from the same house can be found at Nachtmann, where the cut models are too. If you are after a heavier glass for whisky with a thick base, take a look at the whiskey glasses. And if you regularly serve sparkling wine at a full table, a champagne cooler saves you walking back and forth to the kitchen, because the bottle stays on the table and holds its temperature there.