food and beverage

Are you planning to open a restaurant and looking for some tips to find the glassware that best fits your establishment?

Choosing the right wine, champagne, water and cocktail glasses can make a big difference. Obviously, you can’t take other establishments as a reference without first considering your specific activity, your budget and the type of clientele, as they probably won’t be the same.

In this article, we explain what aspects you should consider when choosing glasses for each type of wine and other beverages.

The importance of choosing your glasses carefully

Offering good wines on the menu is one thing, but knowing how to showcase them is another. Whatever the wine, it must be appreciated with all the senses: visual, olfactory and, of course, gustatory.

But what are the criteria that should really help you choose your glasses? First of all, you should know that not all establishments have the same needs or the same budget. In addition, you may not have the space to store a large amount of glassware. If you have an inn or a fine dining restaurant, you probably won’t use the same type of glassware.

And, of course, the type of wine and alcohol you offer will have a direct impact on your glass purchase: you will not need the same glasses for a young wine served in a bar as for a fine dining restaurant.

Finally, your glasses must be resistant: breakage is a frequent occurrence in the catering environment. It is good to know that nowadays most manufacturers offer glassware specially designed for professionals.

How to choose the right glasses

✔︎ Opt for glasses that allow a sufficient quantity, but leave enough space to make a slight rotational movement with the wine. This action increases the surface in contact with the air and allows a better perception of the aromas. But do not overdo it: glasses should not be too large and disproportionate to the rest of the service.

✔︎ The rim of the glass should be of quality: you can run your finger lightly along the rim to make sure it is smooth. This part is very important as it is the part that is in contact with the lips.

✔︎ The type of wine on your menu also plays an essential role in the choice of glasses. For example, for red wines, opt for fairly large glasses with a wide goblet. On the other hand, for white wines, it is not necessary for the glasses to be so large, because not so much space is needed for the movement of the wine and the development of aromas.

Some examples of wine glasses

When choosing wine glasses, you will find several references:

✔︎ Bordeaux type glass: tapered shape, with a wide opening, designed to favor the oxygenation of Bordeaux wine, which needs more time than other wines to express itself.

✔︎ Burgundy type glass: more rounded in shape, it concentrates all the aromas and offers a more restricted aeration due to its narrower opening.

✔︎ The champagne glass: it should allow you to enjoy the bubbles. Contrary to what one might think, it should not be too narrow, as champagne is still a wine. Rather than necessarily opting for the traditional glass, a shape that tapers towards the foot and has a slight bulge is recommended.

And for cocktails?

There is a wide variety of glasses and cocktail glasses that should be adapted to your offer. For cocktails with a high alcohol content, it is recommended to prioritize small glasses, while for milder cocktails you can choose larger glasses.

Among the cocktail glasses you will find: shot glasses for pure liquors, Martini glasses for cocktails with ice, Old Fashioned or Rocks glasses, designed more for whiskey.

And don’t forget that the transparency of a glass makes all the difference: it allows you to appreciate the color of the drink or the mix of shades of a cocktail, inviting you to taste and enjoy the pleasure of drinking.

Ready to give your beverage service a new shine?

At Pilsa we have a wide selection of cups and glasses that enhance every drink and adapt to the style of your establishment. Visit pilsa.com for more info.

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