Choosing the right Wine Glasses

Choosing wine glasses, also known as stemware, to reflect both the best of the wine and your own personal taste is both fun and easy with a little knowledge. The shape, size and colour of a wine glass can dramatically affect your perception of the wine that's contained in it.There is no “proper” way to serve wine. There are no “official” sizes, capacities, shapes or colours of wine glasses. Common sense and individual taste should be your guide.Wine’s appeal is not just its taste and smell, but also the visual aspect. The play of light on the wine, the “legs” and “tears’ on the inner wall when you swirl the wine and the way aromas are captured within the wine glass — and presented to your nose while drinking — are things to consider when choosing wine glasses.It stands to reason that a larger glass is required for wine at dinner than would be needed for a sip of sherry after. Traditionally wine glasses with larger, broader bowls are used for bold red wines with bigger bouquets, and narrower wine glasses are used to concentrate the more delicate aromas of lighter white wines.Champagne is best served in a tall slender tulip glass. Visual enjoyment of the bubbles that differentiate a sparkling wine from a still wine is enhanced by the height.

An elegant dinner party, where a different wine accompanies each course, is enhanced with a table setting that includes a wine glass for each wine. The glasses should be arranged in the order they are to be used and right to left. Wine is traditionally poured from the right, while food is served from the left.The food being served will dictate the choice of wine, but you will most likely begin with tall-stemmed hock glasses for whites and progress to wine goblets for reds then use a smaller glass for aperitifs. A matching water glass is an elegant touch.

Be sure not to fill a wine glass too full, one third to one half full at the most. You want to leave room to capture the bouquet in the upper bowl as it rises from the swirled wine, and to allow the glass to be tilted — at approximately a forty-five degree angle — to evaluate and enjoy the color of the wine.The wine glass stem gives you something to hold onto without warming the wine with your body heat. If the wine happens to be served too cold, cupping the bowl in your hand is an easy way to quickly warm it up. Brandy snifters are designed specifically for this technique so that the gentle warming of your hand can coax out even more of the aroma that is nearly equal in importance to taste in the enjoyment of brandy.

A new pint glass

Pubs and clubs across the UK could be getting a new pint glass available soon. Say bonjour to the 'Schooner' glass. Essentially, the schooner glass is a glass that holds the equivalent of two thirds of a pint. The recent development is a result of pub landlords that want to sell stronger beers and ciders in smaller measures. Reports have also claimed that this beer glass will give females a chance to order a beer in a smaller measure as reports have suggested that women think the pint is too much.

The name of the glass, 'Schooner' orginates from OZ and was a nickname invented for the glass as pint glasses became to hot in the sun. Why people think that same methodology will apply to us in beyond me but pub landlords in the UK are taking it very seriously indeed. However, many critics from around the country are scared that the schooner will herald a shift away from the traditional pint itself. At the moment pubs are allowed to sell drinks in a pint, half pint and a third of a pint. The smaller glass will no doubt cause a huge amount of confusion for any pub's glassware and cutlery as the glass itself looks almost identical to a pint glass and there will no doubt be mistakes. However, many people are in favour of getting this new pint glass as the idea to drink less is always a prefered incentive. It is the same with wine glasses. In many pubs they will only sell a much larger size wine glasses in the bar and in their dinnerware.

The Association of drinking in Scotland said that there was no call for these glasses stating that there was no demand. Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson said: 'There is no question of replacing the British pint, but introducing the option of a brand new imperial measure is good for consumers and providing them with far more choice.

Setting a beautiful table

We are frequently asked what the secret is to creating a beautifully dressed table, so here are some of our thoughts.

Make sure the setting is appropriate to the occasion; a formal dinner may need an elaborate table display but a simple, fun setting will be more than suitable for afternoon tea with a friend or a relative and will give a relaxing, intimate feel to the occasion.

Don’t be too concerned about making sure all the tableware and glassware match exactly; this can result in a dull table setting lacking in character. Have the confidence to mix styles, colours, textures and patterns and enjoy experimenting with different combinations, the results will be rewarding.

A beautiful Table Setting doesn’t need to be complicated; the key is in the detail. A folded white Napkin tied with a piece of ribbon or cord along with a single fresh flower can be more than enough to accompany your glassware, cutlery and side plate.

Remember that your table setting is simply a reflection of your vision and character so have fun creating it and your guests will surely follow.

The perfect meal for two..

What is the perfect meal you can offer a loved one for a night in? There are so many recipes and ingredients out there it is hard to find the right one. I have decided to list a few ideas for anyone out there who is considering cooking a meal for their loved one and is not sure what to prepare and how to cook it.

My research started with the BBC website, I have browsed numerous dishes and selected a few in which I think would go down well at a meal. The first dish is a vegetable and salmon bake which only take 20-30 minutes to prepare and 10 to 30 minutes to cook. It is easy to do and the ingredients are quite reasonable.

Here is a step by step guide on how to cook this meal;

1. Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7
2. Place the cream in a saucepan over a medium heat, and, when warm, add the potato and leeks and bring to a simmer for 3-4 minutes.
3. Remove the cream mixture from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Gradually add the egg yolks and cheese, whisking constantly until all the cheese has melted.
4. Add the salmon and pour into an ovenproof dish. Top with extra cheese and place into the oven to bake for ten minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
5. To serve, place the chives on top of the dish.

If you have followed these guides correctly you should be left with a delicious, healthy and wholesome meal for you are your partner. Other things to think about whilst preparing a meal like this are the dinnerware, cutlery and glassware. Each of these items contributes to that special meal and enhances the mood.

Well, good luck! Hope this recipe helps and happy cooking!