Stemware and Barware Collections: Choosing the Best for Your Event
Making the rightchoices in stemware for your table has never been easier. The internet has seen to it that you and I have so many more choices from barware collections than we’ve ever had in the past.
Hooray for options! A wide selection can be a very good thing. At times, perhaps it’s too MUCH of a good thing, since vast selections can sometimes intimidate us and take up a lot of our time.
Choosing glassware doesn’t have to be so difficult . It really comes down to two rules–rules that apply, by the way, to anything you ever buy for your home: 1) Buy the right item. 2) Buy the highest quality item you can afford.
Many people ignore how important the correct glass can be when serving cocktails. But glassware does, in fact, matter.
For example, a martini drunk from a rocks tumbler is a totally different experience than one sipped from a chilled martini glass. The ingredients may be exactly the same, but even the taste may differ, insomuch as taste is affected by temperature and smell.
The secret is in the design. The long stem of a martini glass keeps the drink colder for a longer period of time. The wide open rim at the top of the glass creates surface tension that helps release the bouquet of the martini cocktail.
The moral of the story?
When entertaining, don’t skimp on glassware!
For the best imaginable drinking experience, serve champagne in champagne glasses, margaritas in margarita glasses, white wine in white wine glasses, and so on. Each glass is especially designed for its purpose.
Remember, too, that for optimal red wine service, you will want to choose a carafe for properly aerating red wines. High-quality brands such as Highbury and Riedel have gorgeous carafes available that match perfectly with their beautiful barware collections.
Happy entertaining!
