SPIEGELAU Winelovers

The difference between the three bowls lies in the space above the wine. The 38 cl is the smallest and suits white wine: you pour a modest measure, which keeps the wine cool down to the last sip. The 46 cl is the middle size that handles both white and lighter red wine, and is therefore the safest first choice. With 58 cl, full-bodied red wine gets enough surface to take in air, provided you do not pour past the widest point of the bowl. The 19 cl flute holds on to the bubbles instead, because the narrow shape gives the carbon dioxide little room to escape.

Never pour to the rim. A third of the bowl is the rule of thumb: then you can swirl without spilling and the aroma is released into the space above. Hold the glass by the stem and not by the bowl, otherwise your hand warms the wine. Fill the flute at an angle, along the wall, so the foam does not run over the rim. That works just as well for a mimosa with orange juice or a kir royal with cassis as it does for champagne on its own.

Winelovers is made of clear crystal glass: thin at the rim, but stronger than it looks. The glasses may go in the dishwasher on a glassware programme, provided the stems do not lean against each other or against cutlery. Gripping the bowl and turning it while the foot stays still is exactly the movement that snaps stems, so always hold the glass at the bottom when drying. Dry with a lint-free cloth, because crystal glass shows water marks sooner than ordinary glass.

The complete range from this maker is at Spiegelau, and the roomier bowls from the same house can be found at Salute. If you are searching by shape, take a look at the red wine glasses, the white wine glasses or the broader category of wine glasses. If you only want to look at sparkling wine glasses, the separate category of champagne flute glasses gives the quickest overview of every shape there is.