Bohemia Colibri

The 45 cl bowl is the everyday size and works for both white and lighter red wine; the pour stays modest of its own accord, which keeps white wine cool. The 65 cl is clearly roomier and meant for red wine with body: the extra surface lets the wine breathe without your having to fill the glass. Do not fill that large bowl beyond a third. The flute of 22 cl is on the generous side for sparkling wine, which is welcome if you also pour cocktails with prosecco into it. If you have to choose, start with the 45 cl.

Put the wine glass to the right above the knife and the flute behind it; the table then looks the way people expect and everyone reaches for the right glass by themselves. Pour wine to the widest point of the bowl and no higher. The flute of 22 cl leaves enough room for a kir royal with cassis or a mimosa with orange juice. When toasting, touch glasses at the belly of the bowl and not at the rim, because that is where thin glass is most vulnerable.

The biggest misconception about crystal glass is that it is only for special occasions. Modern crystal glass copes perfectly well with regular use and with a dishwasher cycle on a glassware programme, provided the stems stand apart. Let the glasses air afterwards and dry them with a lint-free cloth, because crystal shows water marks sooner. Always lift a glass by the foot and never stand it upside down on the rim.

This brand's wider range is at Bohemia, and for the Italian counterpart in crystal glass you can look at RCR. If you are after a specific shape, there are the wine glasses, the red wine glasses and the champagne glasses. Ideas for what to pour into the flute besides plain sparkling wine are in the overview of cocktails, sorted by base spirit.