J-Line

First decide whether the glass should mainly catch the eye or mainly do its job. The figurative models, such as the water glass shaped like a bird or a chilli pepper, are each different and look best as a loose collection. The quieter series, such as the ribbed and woven water glasses, can be carried across an entire table as one set.

Then look at the capacity. The water glasses run from roughly 30 to 48 cl, ample for water with ice or a soft drink. The wine glasses sit between 31 and 64.5 cl, with the larger bowls intended above all as a centrepiece rather than to be filled to the top. Champagne glasses range from 15 to 32 cl. Finally, check the quantity: some models come in sets of four or six, while others are sold individually because every piece is slightly different. If you want to lay a table for six with the same shape, check whether the model comes in a set.

Use this glassware when the dish is understated. A set table with simple tableware and one striking glass per place setting works better than a table where everything competes for attention. At lunch or drinks, the figurative water glasses serve as a conversation starter; at dinner, it is better to reserve them for water and use a more neutral wine glass for the wine.

For outdoor use, the acrylic and plastic models are the practical choice. From half a meter away, they look like glass, but they can survive a tiled floor or the edge of a swimming pool. This makes them excellent for a Aperol Spritz on the terrace or for mocktails at a children's party. Serve fruity drinks in the clear models, as the color of the drink comes through best in them. With the colored and mirrored models, the glass itself is the focus; it is better to fill them with water or with a drink whose color does not matter anyway.

With the real glass, care depends on the finish. Plain and ribbed glass can simply go in the dishwasher. Models with a mirrored or metallic layer and with applied decoration should be washed by hand in lukewarm water with a little washing-up liquid, because a hot dishwasher cycle attacks such a layer over time.

Acrylic and plastic do not belong in a hot dishwasher. The combination of heat and aggressive dishwasher powder leaves the material dull and prone to scratching after a number of cycles. Hand washing with a soft cloth keeps them clear for years; do not use a scouring pad. Mouth-blown glass also nearly always has small bubbles or a slightly uneven rim. That is not a fault but the hallmark of how it is made.

If you're mainly here for the color, you'll find the full overview among the colored glassware , including brands that make fully colored glass. If you're looking for understated, stackable glasses for everyday use, take a look at the water glasses. And if you appreciate the decorative character but would rather put something old on the table, the vintage glasses and the champagne flutes offer a similar atmosphere.