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Tempered glass is about four times stronger than ordinary glass. And unlike annealed glass, which can shatter into jagged shards when broken, tempered glass fractures into small, relatively harmless pieces. As a result, the inside remains in a state of tension, while the outside goes into a state of compression. These competing forces are what make tempered glass so much stronger than annealed glass.

What is Tempered Glass?

Manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, tempered glass is much harder than standard glass. Regular, annealed glass undergoes a thermal tempering process that increases its strength and changes its composition to shatter differently.

In a furnace, the glass is heated to a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit before being rapidly cooled with high-pressure air blasts. Due to this, the glass’s exterior layers cool much more quickly than its interior layers, which causes the interior to cool and separate from the outer layers. 

Who Invented Tempered Glassware?

The Duralex factory in France invented the tempering process for glassware and its Picardie range of glassware sets is the top seller among tempered lines. It’s used in restaurants, cafes, and bars worldwide and also sold in retail sets for home use.

The picardie glasses come in a range of different colours, as well as sizes.

What Are Some Advantages of Tempered Glass?

It’s safer

The fact that tempered glass was created with safety in mind gives it a significant benefit over annealed or regular glass. Tempered glass shatters into tiny, relatively safe granular fragments as opposed to annealed glass, which shatters into big, deadly shards.

It’s tougher

Tempered glass is produced using a thermal tempering technique that significantly increases its strength compared to regular glass. Strong gusts, direct hits and bumps, and small explosions cannot break tempered glass.

It’s heat-resistant

The maximum temperature that tempered glass can withstand is 470 degrees Fahrenheit. Tempered glass is perfect for use in kitchen appliances and in rooms like the bathroom because of this quality, where it will likely be exposed to heat frequently.

It’s crystal clear

Despite tempered glass being extremely robust, its clarity is unaffected. Tempered glass works well in windows, glass doors, and exhibition cases because it is transparent and optically clear.

It doesn’t scratch easily

Tempered glass is made with a manufacturing process that also makes it scratch-resistant. This makes tempered glass the perfect material for windows in passenger cars, kitchen appliances, and screen protectors for smartphones.

So there you have it. If you’re looking for glass that will last a lifetime, look no further than tempered glassware.

With a dedicated team of craftspeople, Crystalex has been the center of the Northern Bohemian glass industry, offering the best of Czech glassmaking craftsmanship. The company remains the largest manufacturer of drinkware in all of Czechia and ranks among the top glass manufacturers globally. 

Sparkle™ glass is used in the production of every one of product, therefore they chose to develop a trademark that would encompass all of its distinctive qualities under a single symbol. The premium Bohemia Sparkle™ trademark caters mostly to the segment of hotels, restaurants, and catering (HoReCa). Products carrying this logo satisfy the requirements for professional glassware, including a thicker glass wall and a firmed rim.

The Bohemia CrystalTM trademark, which ensures the highest quality in both materials and production processes, has been on Crystalex products for more than 50 years. Products marked with this distinguished trademark have come to represent the tried-and-true excellence of Czech glassmaking craftsmanship.

The brand flaunts several ranges, of which we stock:

Sandra Range

Raise a glass with these sculptural glasses from the Sandra Range. Crafted with expert precision, the crystal glasses are distinguished by their streamlined silhouette and weighted bowl. These glasses are generously sized, which allows them to maximise the flavours and aromas of red and white wines alike.

Xtra Range

A natural for happy hours and special gatherings, these easy-care pieces from the Xtra Range are durably made and maintain their clarity through years of use. These versatile glasses come in classic shapes to show off a wide range of wines, champagnes, and cocktails.

Tulipa Optic Range

The Tulipa Optic Range is an entertaining staple and makes for a great gift. Sophisticated with an intricate pattern, the high-end glasses add visual interest and style to the table or home bar. The collection offers every glass you might need, from a beer glass to a champagne flute.

Turbulence Range

These glasses are made using a special technique that makes decanting wine quicker than ever before. Give the glass a light swirl, and the Turbulence glass will oxidize the wine in mere seconds, allowing the full bouquet of flavours to bloom on  your palate. The one-of-a-kind design eliminates the need for traditional decanting which can take hours.

Established and proudly produced in South Africa, Crane Crystal is a brand that highlights its commitment to sustainable processes by giving back to nature, one box at a time.

All glassware and packaging are made in environmentally friendly factories, and the crystal is made of crystalline sand and free of lead, BPA, and other toxins.

Ivo Zrcek, the director of Crane Crystal, was inspired by his love of animals to work with World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa. He spends a lot of time photographing the untainted African terrain, exploring the wilderness, and being in nature. He is acutely aware of the loss of biodiversity and the plight of endangered species, which amplified his desire to support the cause.

Each Crane Crystal range is represented by a threatened species.

The Blue Crane, the national bird of South Africa, represents our Lara Range. With their rounded bodies, both are graceful and majestic. The red and white wine glasses, champagne flutes, and all-purpose tumblers are for your enjoyment.

The Bistro Range has been strengthened and toughened for usage in the hospitality and industrial sectors, making it as rugged and durable as the Rhino. The set has a wide selection of glasses, from gin glasses to wine glasses.

The Cheetah is the emblem of the Club Range. These tumblers are slim and lightweight yet standing tall and having graceful lines.

The Vision Range is represented by the shark, because of its wide open mouth. The versatile glasses include a lightly weighted base to keep your drinks cool and are simple to sip tall and short drinks from.

Have a whale of a time with the Stemless Range. The collection is great for travelling and socialising and come in 3 sizes.

Every Crane Crystal purchase contributes to the conservation effort.

Although it is much easier to drink straight from the bottle or a can, you really are not doing any justice to beer or your taste buds. It is always advised to use the proper beer glassware to enhance your appreciation of the beer style.

The shape and size of a glass will allow specific styles of beer to best showcase their aromas, flavours, carbonation, colour and head, allowing you to enjoy the beer at its very best.

Let’s examine the most common types of glasses and the beers that go best with them.

IPA

The IPA glass has a distinct appearance and personality. It is specifically designed to release complex and volatile aromas that a beer style like an IPA naturally possesses. Its distinctive form brings out the hops’ citrus and grapefruit flavours while balancing the strong bitterness and sweetness of the malt. Its distinct ridges also work to aggravate the beer, refreshing the head with each sip.

Our Favourite:

Pint

A pint glass is the most typical type of glass you’ll encounter. These medium-sized, cylindrical glasses have an opening at the top and a body that is only slightly narrow. The broader top gives room for the head, or “foam,” that forms at the top of a beer and lets the beer release its aromatics. Although simple to produce and convenient to drink from, these glasses are not the best choice for aromatic beers because the aroma will escape from the broad mouth far too soon.

Our Favourites:

Tulip

Barrel Aged Beer represents the height of a brew master’s talent and passion. When it comes to the aroma, flavour, taste and mouthfeel of these speciality beers, long-term wood ageing gives beer the most complex character possible. The Tulip Beer Glass is exclusively designed for a beer connoisseur to admire the speciality beers.

Our Favourite:

Pilsner

Pilsner-style beers have an aromatic structure that is mainly characterised by delicate hop aromas. Along with having a thick head and a light, refreshing body, it also has excellent carbonation. The Pilsner glass enhances the colour and carbonation of the beer while also supporting the thickness of the beer.

Our Favourites:

Hefeweizen

The shape of this tall glass highlights the flavours and aromas that are present in Weissbiers by nature. Hefeweizen glasses are large in order to hold volume and display a creamy/fluffy head. This glass is suitable for wheat beers made in the Bavarian style.

Our Favourites:

What About Mugs?

Although mugs are the traditional container for drinking beer, they are not the best form for serving it. However, we won’t disagree that they add a certain amount of traditional fun to the beer-drinking experience.

Our Favourites:

In the end, the greatest glass to drink beer from is the one you choose. It doesn’t matter what shape or size it is; it’s the one you like to hold and look at, and maybe it even stirs up some good memories for you.

What’s the difference between lead and lead-free crystal wine glasses? And why does it matter? In this article, we clarify the differences between the two, outline why lead-free crystal stemware is made, and list the advantages of both.

What is Crystal?

Crystal contains the same components as glass (sand, soda, ash, and limestone) but must contain at least 24% lead. The lead component is very traditional, but it also adds layers of cost to the product.

Why Was Lead-Free Crystal Created?

In modern history, the potential health risks of lead have led to the development of lead-free crystal. It has a similar refractive index to lead crystal, but it is lighter and it has less dispersive power. The lead-free crystal is made by replacing the lead oxide in production of the glass with barium oxide, zinc oxide, or potassium oxide. These replacements to lead weigh far less and provide greater strength and flexibility.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between the Two?

Generally speaking, crystal that contains lead can be very fragile, and the lead adds weight to the glass.

In general, you can recognize lead crystal products by the fact that they are slightly heavier than lead-free crystal products. 

What Is Each Used For?

True lead crystal is incomparable to substitutes in terms of brilliance and heft. The production is also more demanding, which also translates into a higher price for the products. As a result, this material is primarily utilized for luxury and gift items.

Lead-free crystal is more often used for the production of thin-walled table, household, and gastro glass (glasses and decanters), but it is also used to make vases, bowls, and jewellery.

Note: wine (and other acidic beverages) may leach the lead out of the crystal in unsafe quantities, therefore you should not store liquors or wine in lead crystal decanters for extended periods of time. Use of lead crystal for small quantities of time, say at the dinner table, are acceptable.

We understand: there is most likely no wrong way to drink wine. But are you getting the most out of that glass? We compiled the six common errors you might be committing – and how to correct them, so you make the most of a good bottle.

Serving Red Wine Too Warm and White Wine Too Cold

Don’t be afraid to serve wine at the appropriate temperature. Reds are frequently served too warm and whites too cold, resulting in a loss of the wine’s complexity and aromas. Red wines should be served chilled, ideally between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius.

White wines should be served at temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 degrees. Here’s how to get them there: Place a bottle of red in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before opening; remove a bottle of white from the refrigerator 20 minutes before opening. (Sparkling wines can be stored and served cold, at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.)

Holding a Wine Glass by the Bowl

Hold a wine glass by the stem. This will keep your hand’s heat from undoing all of your efforts to get the wine to the proper temperature and warming it up too quickly.

Swirling Too Much

Swirl the wine in your glass a little to open up the wine and let the aromas flood out, says wine expert Mark Oldman. But doing it too much will oxidise the wine too much, ruining it and making it taste bitter.

Not Letting It Breathe

Decanters serve a purpose other than decoration. Pouring a bottle of red or white wine into a decanter accomplishes two things: The process begins by removing the sediment. While older red wines are perfectly fine to drink, the small particles aren’t exactly the most appetizing things to consume.

Second, decanting aerates the wine, allowing more flavors and aromas to emerge. Have you ever enjoyed the taste of a wine a day or two after you opened it? That’s aeration in action. In general, full-bodied, younger reds can be decanted for an hour before serving. Decanting time for older, more delicate wines is approximately 30 minutes.

Pouring Too Much Wine in a Glass

When you’re hosting a party or enjoying a glass at home, it’s easy to get carried away and overfill your glass. Don’t make this rookie mistake. We’re not saying you can’t have a second glass of wine, but smaller pours will allow you to fully appreciate each glass – and each sip.

Simply pour the wine to the widest part of the glass. This allows the greatest surface area for your wine to aerate while you swirl it.

If you don’t feel comfortable swirling wine mid-air, you can always place the glass on a surface and make small circles with your hand.

Storing Wine in Warm Places

Yes, even before you’re ready to drink your vino, temperature matters. Some wine newbies will store wine on the countertop, near a window, or worst of all, on top of the refrigerator.

We’re not saying that you need to invest in a fancy wine cooler in order to enjoy a glass of wine. We’re simply suggesting that you find a cool, dark place with a relatively consistent temperature to store bottles that are waiting to be opened.

The back of a closet is a good place to keep unopened bottles. It’s usually the darkest part of the house and doesn’t experience drastic temperature changes. The back of the pantry is also an excellent location. Remember to store wine on its side before opening it to avoid drying out the cork. However, once opened, store wine upright to reduce the amount of surface area exposed to oxygen.

If you’ve made any of these common wine mistakes, don’t worry – this is a judgement-free zone. However, by correcting these errors, you will be able to fully enjoy your wine.

Founded in 1945, Duralex has been manufacturing tempered glassware and tabletop products for over 80 years in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin in the very heart of France.

Using a technique developed in the 1930s by Saint-Gobain, moulded glass is heated to 600 degrees Celsius, then cooled very quickly, giving it an impact resistance twice superior to ordinary glass.

As a result of their commitment to innovation and quality, they have achieved global recognition and remain the top choice when it comes to durable, chip-resistant glass products.

The Secret of Duralex Glass’ Resistance

Duralex glass, heated to a temperature of 700°C, is suddenly cooled by ventilation of cold air throughout. This tempering operation improves its resistance to mechanical and thermal shocks. The glass is 2.5 times more resistant than conventional (non-tempered) glass and can withstand a 130°C thermal shock. When broken, tempered glass shatters into a multitude of small, non-sharp pieces.

Not only is the glass 100% recyclable, it is also non-porous hygienic.

What are the benefits of Duralex Tempered Glass?

• Impact and chip resistant, extremely durable – Duralex tempered glass is 2.5 times stronger than ordinary glass.
• Shock resistant – Duralex is manufactured to withstand sudden temperature extremes from -20°C to 100°C and is suitable for hot or cold liquids.
• Safety – If broken, Duralex shatters into small pieces, reducing the risk of injury.
• Hygienic – Nonporous Duralex glass does not absorb liquid.
• Stackable – The Duralex glasses and bowls are stackable for convenient and space-saving storage.
• Top quality – Constant quality control guarantees excellence and built-in durability, ensuring that Duralex products will maintain their look for many years.
• Microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe – Adaptable modern glassware can go directly from the freezer to the microwave. Dishwasher Safe.
• Made in France – Since 1945

The video below demonstrates how tough Duralex glass is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE-05XRHWwg&t=8s

Duralex remains a strong, reliable and endearing brand which has conquered the hearts of millions of consumers.

Crystal Direct is proud to be the official distributor of Duralex products nationwide.

Shop the brand here.

Choosing the right wine glass can be a matter of personal preference. However, those in the winemaking industry will tell you that either one glass fits all or a separate wine glass is required for each blend and grape variety.

We have seen an increase in wine glass shapes over the last ten years, ranging from simple and inexpensive to indulgent and extravagant, which can make the choice quite overwhelming.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key decisions you’ll need to make when looking for the perfect wine glass for you.

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Wine Glass?

The style, shape, and thickness of a wine glass can have a significant impact on how the wine is presented and tastes. While many winemakers would argue that the wine is the most important aspect and that no glassware can improve a poorly made blend, having the right glass can improve your appreciation and enjoyment of any wine.

All wines, regardless of type (red, white, rosé, sparkling, or fortified), contain important aromas that play an important role in the overall character of the wine.

Exploring the aromas of your wine is enhanced by choosing the right wine glass.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Wine Glass

1. Bowl shape
2. Rim thickness
3. Stem or no stem

The bowl shape

The shape of the bowl influences how much air gets to the wine, which influences the aroma and taste.

Smaller bowls make it more difficult for the aroma to escape, keeping the delicate flavours of white wine within the glass. When tasting from a smaller bowl glass, you will notice more aromas travelling towards your nose, which you may miss if you use a larger bowl.

Red wines typically have stronger aromas that require more aeration to release the flavours. For this reason, a larger bowl allows more oxygen to reach the wine. Fuller-bodied wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux blends, are traditionally served in larger bowl shapes.

Champagne and sparkling wines are best served in a narrow flute to preserve the bubbles that would otherwise be lost in a wider Champagne coupe. However, some argue that without the air space at the top of the glass, a flute will not aid in the development of more complex aromas in an older Champagne. For many, choosing a flute, coupe, or otherwise remains a matter of personal preference.

Rim thickness

The thickness of the glass at the rim can obstruct the smooth flow of wine from glass to mouth. A thin-cut rim with no lip allows the wine to reach your taste buds more smoothly than a thicker glass with a rolled lip.

Thinner glasses may be more fragile, which should be considered when storing and durability.

Stem vs Stemless

Stemmed glassware is the traditional wine glass choice. However, it is not all for show. The temperature of a wine can influence how its aromas and acidity are perceived. Carrying the glass by its stem can prevent the temperature of the wine from rising. This is especially important for those who enjoy white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, which are best served chilled or lightly chilled.

The heat of your hands can cause the temperature of the glass to rise, which is less of an issue with red wine than with white wine. Red wines are best enjoyed at temperatures ranging from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Tumblers provide more stability than stemmed wine glasses and may be a more practical solution for presentation and storage.

Is it better to have one glass for each grape or one glass for all?

Not everyone can store different glasses for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but they may be able to store a red and a white wine glass.

Alternatively, choosing an all-round wine glass – one with a shape that complements a variety of wine styles – may be more beneficial.

Decanting, when done correctly, can elevate your wine-drinking experience to a whole new level. But, what does decanting do to your wine? What’s the right way to do it? We’ve got all the answers.

What is Wine Decanting?

Decanting wine means slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into a different container, without disturbing the sediment at the bottom. You do this mainly to separate the sediment at the bottom of the bottle from the clear wine, and to aerate the wine before drinking it.

Removing the sediment that reaches the glass is especially apparent with older, ‘vintage’ wines. Unwanted sediment will accumulate in the bottle over time, mostly in red wines rather than white. Very occasionally, pieces of crumbling cork can also be found in wines, so removing these in the decanting process is also vitally important.

Decanters often have an easy-pour neck and come in all shapes and sizes. The most common shapes are swan, duck, cornett and the standard decanters which come in small, medium, and large sizes.

Benefits of Wine Decanting

Decanting has three main benefits:

• Sediment removal: Decanting is primarily used to separate the wine from the sediments that settle at the bottom of the bottle. Sediment is not harmful, but it tastes unpleasant. Sediment might also make some of the wine’s flavours taste duller.
• Aeration: When you pour the wine into a decanter, the liquid is introduced to oxygen, and various changes occur. Oxidation allows the wine’s aroma and flavour to open up making it a great tasting experience for wine drinkers!
• Removing broken cork pieces from the wine: If you notice that the cork has broken, slowly pouring the wine in a decanter will retain the cork pieces in the neck of the bottle.

How to Decant Wine

Decanting wine requires a light hand and some patience. Here’s how to go about it.

1. If your bottle of wine has been stored horizontally, remove it from storage and sit it upright for a full day prior to decanting. This allows the sediment to settle at the bottom of the bottle.
2. Open your new bottle of wine using a corkscrew.
3. Very slowly, with a steady hand, pour from the bottle into the decanter and keep an eye on the clarity of the wine as it leaves the bottle and enters the neck of the decanter. The older the wine, the more likely it is that you’ll eventually see some sediment appearing and if, and when this occurs, stop pouring immediately. Ideally, this is where you should use a funnel to trap the sediment before entering the decanter.
4. Allow the now-decanted wine to stand for 2 hours; this will allow the wine to reach room temperature, ideal for red wine.

Which Wines Need Decanting?

Most types of wine, from young to old, red to white, and even rosés, can be decanted. In fact, almost all wines benefit from a few seconds of decanting, if only for aeration. Young, strong red wines, on the other hand, require decanting because their tannins are more intense.

Wines that should absolutely be decanted include:

1. Malbec
2. Shiraz (Syrah)
3. Cabernet Sauvignon
4. Bordeaux
5. Burgundy

Decanting Without a Wine Decanter

You can easily decant wine without a decanter.

Here are a few ways to do that:

• Use your wine glass: Swirling your wine in the glass is an effective and easy way to accelerate the oxidation process.
• Use a carafe: All you need to do is to pour the wine into another vessel so it can breathe. So, if you don’t have a wine decanter, a glass carafe will do the same job and enhance the wine’s aroma.
• Use a wine aerator: A wine aerator (like the Venturi wine aerator) is a little device through which you pour the wine into your wine glass. When the wine goes through the aerator, it is exposed to a stream of oxygen which increases its contact with the air.
• Use a blender: Blending wine might sound taboo to most wine lovers. Even though it is not the most careful decanting method, it works surprisingly well.

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about wine decanting. Decanting has become an essential part of the wine experience, and besides the extra flair it brings to the serving process, it’ll also take your drinking experience to the next level.

We have a wide range of wine decanters. But if we had to pick, these would be our favourites!

For the entertainer: Crystalex Xtra Wine Decanter 1400ml

For the artist: RCR Invino Wine Decanter 2l

For the traditional: Bee Glass Ship Decanter 1800ml

For the extravagant: Crane Crystal Roller Decanter 1800ml

For the ageless: RCR Timeless Wine Decanter 900ml

Now that you have a beautiful set of crystal glasses, learn how to take proper care of them.

Handwash

To hand-wash, add dishwashing liquid to warm water, and always ensure that the wash and rinse water are at the same temperature. After cleaning, place glasses upside down on a towel for air drying. When washing crystal stemware, always hold the glass by the bowl, never by the stem, and do not twist the bowl and the stem in opposite directions when washing or drying.

Remove Discolouration or Streaking

Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to the rinse water. For extra shine, steam over boiling water and polish with a microfiber cloth. This will ensure that your crystal is always a show-stopping addition to any dinner party, event or even just your well-deserved evening relaxation.

For Tough Dirt

Soak the glassware in water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid and 1/2 teaspoon of fabric softener, and leave overnight.

Storing

Store glass in a cabinet, away from dust particles, over a cloth mat. Leave at least 2cm between your glasses to avoid chipping or hang them upside down in a specialised wine glass rack.