Schott Zwiesel Tulip

With a set, start by looking at how many people you usually have at the table. Eight glasses serve four people with two kinds of drink; eighteen glasses are meant for six places with three glasses each, the classic setting of water, wine and sparkling. Also consider whether you will want to add to it or replace pieces later: with a set you inevitably lose pieces over time, and then it helps if individual models are available separately. Other combinations are among the glassware sets. Both sets come from the same line, so the shapes match one another.

Lay the table from the outside in: the glass you use first stands furthest to the right. Water stays put throughout the meal, wine glasses change with each course. Fill a wine glass to the widest point of the bowl, about a third, so there is room left to swirl. If you start with an aperitif, a kir royal or an aperol spritz works well before the first course arrives. Clear glasses away between courses as soon as they are empty, and the table stays uncluttered.

All the glasses in the set are Tritan crystal glass and are dishwasher safe. Use stem holders if your rack has them, otherwise stand them at an angle against the edge so no water stays in the bowl. Always pick a glass up by the foot when taking it out of the rack; the stem is where breakage starts.

The rest of the brand is at Schott Zwiesel. If you want to add individual glasses, take a look at the wine glasses or the champagne glasses. For water at the table there are water glasses, and a decanter completes the setting. If you already have glassware, a set of eight is a welcome addition; if you are starting with an empty cupboard, eighteen at once is the quickest route.