RCR Optiq

The two glasses differ more than their capacity might suggest. The 45 cl glass is the all-rounder in which both a fresh white wine and a light red wine come into their own, because you fill it one-third full and leave room for the aroma. The 65 cl glass is intended for full-bodied red wine that needs to breathe, and therefore belongs among the large wine glasses. The tumbler of 43 cl is used for water and soft drinks at the table, while the 67 cl copa is for gin and tonic with plenty of ice. If you are looking for one size for everything, choose the 45 cl.

With a copa, the order matters. First, fill it to the rim with ice, then add the gin, followed by the tonic poured down the side so the carbonation stays in. A glass full of ice melts more slowly than a half-filled glass, so using less actually has the opposite effect. Read the gin and tonic recipe to find out which garnish goes with which gin. Fill wine glasses to their widest point and no higher. A Negroni is served in a tumbler, over one large ice cube.

Luxion is crystal glass without lead, so the whole series may go in the dishwasher. Run a short glassware programme at no more than sixty degrees and rinse well, because limescale stands out extra on this ribbed wall. Polish with a lint-free cloth while the glass is still hand-warm. Store the bowls upright in the cupboard and do not let the stems touch, because that is where practically all breakage starts.

Are you looking for a different shape from the same brand? The full range is available at RCR Cristalleria Italiana, including the heavier tumbler series and the carafes. If you would rather compare by shape, take a look at the gin and tonic glasses or the red wine glasses, where Optiq is listed alongside series from other brands. Already have the glassware but missing the tools? The bar spoons are ready.