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Making wine is one of those age-old customs that has been around for virtually as long as humankind has needed a drink. But even though drinking wine has been a pleasure shared by people of many ages and countries, there is still some mystery around the specifics of how it is made.

When and where did winemaking begin?

It will be helpful to understand the context of wine’s history before we get into the specifics of how to produce wine from grapes. While France and Italy are the nations most closely associated with wine production, archaeological evidence indicates that wine production may have begun in China around 7000 B.C., with Armenia and Georgia following suit not too long after.

What are the steps?

The precise processes in the harvesting process will vary in time, method, and technology depending on the type of grape, the region, and the type of wine that a winemaker desires to produce. However, these fundamental vine-to-wine stages are generally present in every wine harvest:

1. Harvesting
2. Pressing
3. Fermentation
4. Clarification
5. Maturation
6. Bottling

Harvesting

Harvesting is the process of selecting and gathering wine grapes, much like any other ripe fruit. Destemming happens after the grapes are harvested from the vineyard, either manually or mechanically.

Pressing

Pressing, also known as crushing, is the process of pressing grapes to obtain the juice that will be used to make wine. Grapes for white wine are immediately pressed to prevent prolonged contact with the grape skins (hence the light color). Red wine grapes are crushed along with their skins and seeds, which add tannins and color.

Fermentation

Without a doubt, fermentation is the key to making wine. Depending on the winemaker, either wild yeast or cultured yeast starts the fermentation process, which turns the grapes’ sugar content into ethanol and carbon dioxide (i.e., alcohol content).

Clarification

As the name suggests, clarification is the process of cleaning the wine to get rid of any floaties or sediment that can give it a hazy appearance.

Maturation

The process of maturation occurs when wine keeps fermenting and adds complexity, tastes, and aromas. While some vintners choose to mature wine in stainless steel vats, others prefer oak vats, which can add spicier, warmer aromas. Wine ages differently from one bottle to the next, although in general, white wines aren’t aged as long as red wines.

Bottling

Bottling is the last step in the production of wine from grapes. Some wines are suitable to drink straight immediately, while others need to mature for years in the wine bottle.

Find new uses for your dusty, old shot glasses with fun and festive dining ideas. Show your guests the refined side of shot glasses at any gathering, whether it’s a formal dinner or a playful outdoor braai. Jello shots not allowed!

Here is a list of the top 10 unconventional uses for a shot glass:

1. Desserts

Having consumed appetizers, a starter, a filling main meal, and a few glasses of wine, your dinner party guests might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the idea of a large dessert being served to cap off the evening. How about offering delectable little desserts in shot glasses, like these no-bake strawberry lemonade cheesecakes, to still satisfy your sweet tooth?

2. Dipping Sauces

Serve your canapés in shot glasses with a selection of dipping sauces for guests.

3. Wedding Favours

Succulents make the most fantastic wedding favour or gift. A living succulent gift is stylish, charming and something that your guests can take home as a long-lasting memory of your special day.

4. Little Vases

Looking for a unique way to adorn your tables at special events? Display beautiful single-stem flowers in a shot glass for simple but effective decoration.

5. Candle-Making

Get crafty and make your own colourful shot glass-sized candles to brighten up your home or decorate your tables for a party. This article shows you how to step by step.

Our Favourite Shot Glasses:

Roly Poly Crystal Shot Glass 60ml

Duralex Amalfi Glass Tumbler 70ml

Duralex Picardie Glass Tumbler 90ml

With the ever-present effects of global warming and ecological issues growing significantly, industries are turning to sustainable materials that will lessen the effects and hopefully make a difference.

RCR is one of the companys that are at the forefront of eco-friendly processes as they boast emission-free productions and 100% recyclable glassware.

Faithful to the spirit of Italian artisan craftmanship since 1967, RCR Cristallia, adopts the latest, most innovative technology to make sure their glassware remains a reliable, durable and beautiful product.

What is Eco-Crystal?

Eco-Crystal is a material of the finest quality and produced with the utmost care for the environment that is used in the creation of all of our goods.

The whole production process is fully electric and aimed to a continuous reduction in consumption.

Energetic Savings

RCR has reduced its electric consumption by 45% which is the equivalent of average consumption of a village of 5.845 people.

Energy is constantly being recycled, thus there is never any waste. The energy released by machines is recovered and reused while the heating is conveyed in order to fuel the heating system.

Water Savings

40% of the water used in the production process is recycled, and the remaining water is decanted and purified to an exceedingly high standard.

RCR has also decided not to use raw materials that release nitrogen oxides, the main responsible for acid rain pigments

Choosing RCR Cristalleria Italiana and Crystal Eco-Crystal means counting on Made-in-Italy quality, knowing that you have done the right thing for your business and for the environment.

Our Favourite RCR Products:

RCR Adagio Whiskey Set 7Pcs

The Adagio Set is a timeless, retro-chic design with classy faceted ridges. This set of six whiskey tumblers includes cut variations to enrich your everyday life and bring a touch of sparkle to any occasion.

RCR Timeless Whiskey Set 7Pcs

Elevate your drinking experience with the truly striking RCR Timeless Whiskey Set. From water to whiskey, these wondrous tumblers are sure to add a special touch to any beverage.

RCR Invino Decanter

Slender and subtly faceted, this classic RCR Invino Decanter stores and serves your favorite spirits in sparkling style. The bottle makes a thoughtful gift for the cocktail enthusiast.

Stop! Did you know that using the appropriate white wine glasses can actually improve the flavor of your wine? Think about it before you pour that wonderful Viognier into any ordinary tumbler.

White wines (and rosés) are typically served in glasses with narrower bowls because the smaller size keeps the wine at the ideal serving temperature, which preserves the fruity flavors. These glasses are often just referred to as traditional white wine glasses, and are slightly tulip shaped.

These small-bowled wine glasses allow the drinker to fully appreciate the acidity of white wines with low body and high acidity because of their small size. Wines such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc taste best in these traditional glasses.

However, since Chardonnay and other full-bodied white wines are so aromatic, they benefit from a wider rim and a rounder bowled glass. Our advice? Serve your Chardonnay in a Bordeaux glass to save money instead of spending more on specialty glasses.

Don’t get us wrong, we would quite happily drink wine out of a shoe as long as the company was good and the wine was high quality. However, to really get the most of your wine, picking the right glassware is essential.

Our Favourite White Wine Glasses:

Crane Crystal Bistro White Wine Glass

With a perfect tulip-shaped bowl, a sturdy flat foot (the bottom of the glass), and a slender stem, this classic white wine glass from Crane Crystal is a great investment set. Better yet, it’s dishwasher safe!

Crystalex Sandra White Wine Glass

Crystalex drinkware is always impressive, but this long stemmed, super-light white wine glass is something special. Specifically designed for whites, this tulip-shaped glass helps to emphasize the fruity flavors of the wine. 

Crane Crystal Lara Stemless Glass

Made from the finest Bohemian crystal, the lead-free Titanium crystal content in this stemless wine glass will make the glass tougher, abrasion-resistant, shatter-resistant, crystal clear and have a brilliant shine.

Don’t get us wrong, we would quite happily drink wine out of a shoe as long as the company was good and the wine was high quality. However, to really get the most of your wine, picking the right glassware is essential.

The development of glass as we know it now most likely began in Venice around the year 1400.

Even in the ancient world, people have been using glass to drink wine for much longer, but the design we typically associate with it – basically a bowl, a stem, and a base – is medieval.

At that time, Venice served as the hub of the glassblowing industry. The Venetians had mastered the art of purifying their alkaline supply, enabling them to produce “cristallo,” a highly prized variety of clear glass.

The stem most likely originated from the church.

On the metal cups used for holy communion, the stem was already present. The stem would have made it simpler for the priest to raise the chalice in front of the congregation so that everyone could see it.

“Glass illness” affected early wine glasses.

The Venetian glassmakers unintentionally lost some of the elements that made the glass durable when they started to cleanse their raw materials to remove components that were generating color. Such elements included lime, which served as a stabiliser.

As a result, in regular air, the original clear glasses could begin to deteriorate rather quickly.

The English discovered the secret to stronger glass.

A crucial moment in the development of glass came when the Royal Navy asked glassmakers to stop cutting down oak trees to fuel their fires. They were depleting fast and still needed for ship building. So English glassmakers turned to sea-coal. This immediately made the furnaces hotter and reinforced the glass because it burnt at considerably higher temperatures.

George Ravenscroft was given the task of attempting to improve and beautify glass in the 1670s.

Glass was made even stronger by the addition of lead oxide and flint, which also gave it the potential to resemble crystal nearly.

Lead oxide allows the different colors of light to travel at different rates, a process known as dispersion, which makes glass sparkle by changing how the light passes through. In the UV, it also fluoresces a little.

In the early 18th century, you weren’t in charge of your own glass.

The wine glass was kept away from the drinker in the early 1700s. Your footman or valet would have brought you your glass and filled it for you as well. After gulping down its contents, you would give it back to them.

However, the wine bottle and glass went to the dinner table in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Finally, the ability to top oneself up!

Originally, a wine glass was more like a shot glass.

A little Georgian glass from 1700 is perhaps seven times smaller than the glass you’d be handed in a pub today if you asked for a large red wine.

The tax on glass, which was in place from the 1700s until the middle of the 1800s for around a century, is an evident factor in why they began small. The wine glass grew when the financial strain was lifted.

Industrialization also meant we could make larger ones that were standardized in shape and form.

We are fortunate to have a wide variety of wine glasses available to us today, and this is entirely due to the glass industry’s early pioneers.

Don’t know your Pinot from your Syrah? Not sure what aeration really means or what fermentation is all about? Whether you’re a curious newcomer or seasoned connoisseur, this glossary of wine terms will help you better understand and appreciate the wide world of wine.

Plus, it’ll give you the verbal skill to sound like you know what you’re talking about at the next wine-tasting party. 

Aeration

Exposing wine to air so that it can “breathe” before drinking it. Wine releases scents and opens up flavors when oxygen is added, much like when wine is swirled in a glass.

Alcohol By Volume

ABV is a common abbreviation for the alcohol content of alcoholic beverages. While bottles can range in alcohol content from 5.5-20% ABV, the average wine glass contains about 11-13% alcohol.

Body

The impression of thickness on the mouth brought on by the wine’s combination of alcohol, sugar, and dissolved solids. A light-bodied wine is comparable to nonfat milk, a medium-bodied wine to whole milk, and a full-bodied wine to creamer. Milk is an excellent comparison for wine body.

Bordeaux

A region in the southwest of France, as well as any wine made there. Bordeaux wines come in both red and white varieties, but the red wine variety is the more well-known.

Brut

The French word for dry, which in the context of wine is the opposite of sweet. It’s used most frequently to describe sparkling or dry Champagne.

Burgundy

A wine-producing region in eastern France and any Burgundies made there. White wines made from Chardonnay grapes and dry red wines created from Pinot Noir grapes are the most well-known wines produced in the region.

Champagne

Sparkling wine produced in the Champagne area of France. If you want the real deal, make careful to verify the wine label because only sparkling wines made in this region are allowed to use the uppercase “C” name Champagne.

Chardonnay

A grape that is used to manufacture white wines, including Champagne. Moreover, this greenish-white grape is used to make wine.

Corked

A wine bottle with a cork top that contains cork taint, also known as deterioration, which imparts a musty odor and bland flavor.

Decanting

Pouring wine into a decanter from a wine bottle is the typical example of this. This removes the wine from any sediment and enables it to aerate.

Dessert Wine

Any dessert-friendly wines, often poured in a tiny wine glass. Examples include port, moscato, late-harvest riesling, and ice wine, which is created from grapes that froze while still on the vine.

Dry

Opposed to sweetness. Also known as “brut” in French Avoid dry wine if you’re seeking for sweet wine.

Fermentation

The method used to make wine, which transforms grape juice into alcohol. When yeast is added to grapes, the grape sugars are transformed into ethanol and carbon dioxide, which gives wine its alcohol concentration.

Merlot

A black grape variety that is native to France’s Bordeaux area. Also used to describe a red wine created from this grape that is dry, mellow, and low in tannin.

Mouthfeel

The tastes and sensations that wine (or any other food or drink) makes in the mouth. Examples include velvety, sharp, rough, and smooth.

Nose

This term defines the aroma of wine in a glass and is another name for aroma.

Oenology

The study and science of wine and winemaking.

Oenophile

A straightforward wine enthusiast. Alternatively known as a vinophile if you want to keep things informal.

Organic Wine

Organic wine produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other additives. The manufacture of organic wine must adhere to organic farming methods, as stated on the wine label.

Pinot

Any black or white grape variety used to make Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio is referred to as pinot, which is literally translated as “pine” in French. includes any wine produced with these grapes as well.

Rosé Wine

Like reds and whites, rosé is a type of wine that can be produced from any red grape and grown in any wine location. It is sometimes referred to as blush wine. It ferments with grape skins for a shorter period of time than red wine, giving it its distinctive pink color.

Sommelier

A wine expert who recommends, chooses, and serves wine in restaurants. The most committed sommeliers pursue certification through courses and tests, which demonstrates their proficiency in wine knowledge, service, and tasting and evaluation.

Sparkling Wine

Any wine that contains enough carbon dioxide to be bubbly and frothy. A phrase that is frequently used in place of champagne (lowercase “c”), despite the fact that this usage adds to the ongoing misunderstanding of both wine terms.

Tannins

Natural compounds found in wine that create an astringent, drying, and bitter flavor on the tongue. Typically, red wines are more tannic than white wines. High-tannin reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, and Cabernet Franc.

Wine Legs

Also known as wine tears, these streaks form on the sides of a wine glass after swirling. Although believed to indicate wine quality, that’s just a myth.

Yeast

Fungus that consumes sugar and ferments grape juice into wine.

When it comes to broadening your wine vocabulary, familiarizing yourself with these wine terms is certainly a good start. After all, you must comprehend something in order to really appreciate it. There is also a ton to discover about the fascinating world of wine and its journey from grape to glass.

Glass and crystal have been produced in Bohemia for over 800 years. Today, Bohemian crystal is one of the most sought-after gift items in the Czech Republic thanks in large part to its eye-catching beauty and relatively reasonable price tag. It comes in a staggering number of forms, including glasses, candlesticks, decanters, vases, and chandeliers, to name just a few.

The industry is built on well-established craftsmanship, technical proficiency, and artistic creativity that is highly regarded worldwide.

Where is Bohemia?

Bohemia is the western part of Czechia, the country in Central Europe, bordering Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria.

Bohemia’s terrain and natural features are ideal for the manufacture of glass, resulting in a product of exceptionally high quality. Chalk and potash are readily available, and when they are combined and used in the glassmaking process, they produce durable, dazzlingly clear, colorless glass. Bohemia also has a large supply of silica, which is used to make glass, making it possible to manufacture a wide variety of glass goods.

The History Behind It All

Glassmaking in the region dates all the way back to the 13th century when glass was produced in northern Bohemia’s Lusatian Mountains and used in monastery windows.

Czech Crystal could be produced in large quantities thanks to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, and not long after that, it was exported in large quantities all over the world. Additionally, glassmaking schools were created so that the time-honored craft could be handed down to coming generations.

The world’s first unique glassmaking schools, which are unmatched globally and were established in 1856, are where glassmakers receive their training. These specialized schools educate trained painters, technologists, crystal cutters, stained glass artists, and engravers. Leading experts look after each student’s development, transferring their knowledge and abilities to future generations.

Combining Tradition With Modern-Day Skill

Few countries in the world can boast of such a wide range of traditional decorating techniques as those that have been used in the Czech region. Although they use current science and technology, which helps to increase their quality, they mostly rely on hundreds of years-old traditions. From the mouth blowing of the raw product, to its finishing and decorating by means of various techniques, human skill, sense of art, and good taste have always been essential.

Production of crystal in the Czech Republic has a very long tradition and stands today as the best in the world.

Crane Crystal continues this long tradition in the production of Bohemian crystal, offering hand-blown and decorated glassware of many shapes and patterns. Shop the range here.

 

Not too long ago, the majority of us would immediately go for our go-to flutes when cracking open a bottle of champagne. However, over the past couple of years, the question has been raised about how to serve champagne to show it at its best.

Three grape varietals, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, make up the majority of champagne, and several production techniques are shared by still and sparkling wines. The bubbles are what really makes a difference.

The Importance of Lead Glass

Innovative new methods were made possible by lead glass. First, since the material was softer, glassmakers could work with it longer. As a result, the trapped air bubbles that were so typical of previous English, Bohemian, and Murano glassware were eliminated from the glass.

Lead glass also had the benefit of being able to be manufactured thin while maintaining strength, which made it ideal for drinking glasses.

The Coupe

It’s rumored that Marie Antoinette’s left breast served as inspiration for the design of this glass.

To the dismay of ardent champagne drinkers, the glass saw a rebirth in the 1920s, a second revival in the 1960s, and finally a recent increase in popularity. While it might make it easier for you to live the flapper lifestyle, the wine’s profile cannot be accurately expressed by its shape.

Since 70% of our sense of flavor is based on scent, the open design causes both the bubbles and aroma to disappear almost rapidly. This means that you are sacrificing a lot of your experience for fashion.

Our Favourites:

The Flute

Champagne drinkers required a glass that allowed the bottle to be divided among many, even if it is now believed to be something that is only consumed on rare occasions.

The slender shape of the flute was ideal for toasting and allowed for a controlled flow. The glass itself has consequently come to represent joy. You can always tell you’re going to have a wonderful time when you arrive at a friend’s house and discover flutes sitting on a bench!

Flutes also improve the bead, which is a plus. All high-quality goods have a little ding or nick at the bottom that stirs the champagne and helps it maintain its fizz as you drink.

Our Favourites:

So what does this mean?

The finest champagne glass for you depends on when and how you enjoy champagne as well as the types of drinks you prefer. While we don’t advise sipping vintage champagne from a plastic cup, you might be a happy traditionalist who won’t settle for anything less than the traditional flute or you might prefer to be on trend and sip champagne from our stemless flutes.

Is wine healthy for you? Let’s put this to rest once and for all. You may have heard that drinking wine isn’t necessarily bad for your health. In fact, it may be beneficial.

Keep reading to discover if your love of wine could be helping or hindering your health.

Choose Red Over White

While red, white, and rosé wines all have health advantages, red wines are more advantageous. Red wines offer a variety of antioxidants that are beneficial to your health because they are produced by fermenting and ripening red grapes that still have their skins on.

One of these antioxidants is polyphenol, which is a natural compound found in various fruits, dark chocolate, and tea. Regular use of polyphenols has been demonstrated to benefit blood sugar control, digestion, and even brain function.

Additionally, studies have shown that red wine’s increased tannin content may benefit heart health. According to research, nations that consume more tannic wine may potentially have longer life expectancies. If you’re looking for wines with high tannins, opt for Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.

What are the benefits of red wine?

Improve Cardiovascular Health

Resveratrol is one of the polyphenols found in red wine. Resveratrol’s capacity to protect you from cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and heart attacks has garnered a lot of attention in the scientific community.

Resveratrol may be able to protect wine drinkers from damaged blood vessels, reduce bad cholesterol, help to prevent inflammation, and lower blood pressure and blood clots.

Safeguard Against Certain Cancers

Researchers discovered a connection between regular wine intake and women having a lower risk of ovarian cancer, which may sound too good to be true. A glass of wine each day actually reduced the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 20%, according to an Australian study.

In addition, a 2017 study discovered that resveratrol can aid in the treatment of lung cancer. According to another study, men who regularly consume red wine have a lower risk of dying from prostate cancer.

Improve Gut Health

Regular wine consumption has been linked to better intestinal health in studies. According to one study, red wine may even lower your chances of stomach cancer, gastritis, and ulcers.

The high concentrations of polyphenols in red wine are to blame for these improvements in intestinal health. Additionally, research reveals that red wine in particular possesses prebiotic properties that support the growth of good intestinal bacteria.

A Few Restrictions on Wine’s Health Benefits

As we’ve already mentioned, a lot of this research needs to be viewed with skepticism. While it does seem that wine drinkers are in better overall health, it’s vital to keep the other aspects in mind.

Could something as lovely as wine possibly be beneficial to you?

As always, it’s critical to keep in mind the studies’ limitations and the fact that for optimal health, we must remember to maintain a healthy diet, get enough of exercise, and schedule routine doctor visits.

But it’s difficult to ignore the good news. A regular glass of Pinot Noir could be doing us the world of good, from enhancing our cardiovascular health to protecting us from certain cancers.

So, perhaps it’s time to exchange that beer for a glass of the good stuff?

The techniques created to make glass by hand approximately 2000 years ago are still used today. Malleable when hot but swiftly cooling to become rigid, molten glass must be manipulated with precision and dexterity.

Glass can be produced in a variety of techniques, including mouth-blowing, pressing, and machine manufacturing. All methods rely on the plasticity of glass when hot and its rigidity when cool. Unlike pressed glass, which is created by pressing molten glass into a mold, handmade glass is created by mouth-blowing molten glass.

What is the process of the mouth-blowing method?

This is the simplest and most traditional approach to designing glass. In this method, the blowpipe is terminated by a heated, molten piece of glass. Many specialists refer to this end of the blowpipe as “gather.” After then, the blowpipe is slowly turned and expanded. The process involves adding air to the glass and keeping the gather at the right temperature. The glass may now take on the desired shape thanks to this. The glass must now be taken out. The vessel is removed from the blowpipe using an iron rod. After the procedure is finished, the vessel is heated once again and the shape is clarified further.

Because of the attractive inconsistencies created by the fast heating and cooling, each piece of mouth-blown glass is distinct. The mouth-blown beads are extremely alluring and are meant to give an elegant touch to their wearer.

Why is mouth-blown glass the preferred choice?

We prefer mouth-blown glass as this offers exceptional quality and seemingly endless possibilities for transformation. When the material can be manipulated by hand, experimentation with form, color, texture, and weight becomes possible. Our experience with the material allows us to experiment with different techniques, pushing the boundaries of hand production. Quality, shape, and size are always consistently maintained at capacity however with handmade glass no two pieces are ever identical.

How does one become a glassblower?

Training to be a glassblower can take up to five years. The craft demands excellent coordination, perpetual movement, and intuitive timing. Glassblowers work in teams and it can take up to eight people to create any given product. The time taken to make each piece varies with complexity and size. Each person is responsible for a different element of the process and trains for several years to refine and perfect the specifics of their craft.