Chef & Sommelier Open Up Tannic Wine Glass 55 Cl - 6 Pieces
Royal Leerdam Carre Wine Glass 28 Cl - 6 Pieces
Bormioli Rocco Uno Inalto Wine Glass 47 Cl - 6 Pieces
Lehmann Grand Blanc Wine Glass 54 Cl - 6 Pieces
Where do the glasses go?
All glasses go to the upper right of the plate, above the tip of the knife. The water glass goes closest to the plate, just above the knife. The wine glasses go to its right, a little farther out, in the order they will be used: the glass for the first wine closest to the water glass, with the next one beside it or slightly behind.
The reason is practical. You pick up a glass with your right hand, so the glasses go on the right. The water glass stays on the table throughout the meal, so it goes closest to you. A wine glass is removed after the course, so it goes farther out, where it can be cleared away without reaching over other glasses.
Multiple courses, multiple glasses
For a dinner with white wine at the starter and red at the main course, set out two wine glasses: the white wine glass at the front, the red one behind it. If champagne is served with dessert, set out a flute as a third glass, or bring it out just for dessert. Don't set out more than three glasses at once; it looks cluttered and increases the chance of knocking them over.
Pour white wine to one-third of the glass, red wine to one-third or halfway, and water to three-quarters. Read more about sizes in our article on wine glasses and our article on water glasses.
Keeping it simple for a dinner party at home
For a casual dinner with friends, one wine glass and one water glass per person is enough. Choose a universal wine glass that works for both white and red, and put a carafe of water on the table so no one has to ask. Change the wine glass only when switching from white to red, and if it really matters.
Only put the glasses down once the rest of the table is set, so you don't knock them over with plates and cutlery. Hold them by the stem or base, not by the rim. See matching ranges in our wine glasses.
The right glass
The Spiegelau Definition wine glass holds 55 cl. It's a versatile glass for white and red wine that suits any set table. The Duralex Picardie is a 25 cl tempered-glass water glass that stays on the table throughout the meal. Find all the collections in our wine glasses collection.
Spiegelau Definition Wine Glass 55 cl (6 pieces)
Duralex Picardie Tumbler 25 cl Blue (6 pieces)
Good to know
Where does the beer glass go?
Where the wine glass goes, above and to the right of the knife. For a beer dinner, set a new glass for each course, just as you would with wine.
How do you hold a wine glass?
By the stem, between your thumb and index finger. This keeps your hand from warming the wine and the bowl clean. Simply hold a tumbler or water glass by the bowl.
How many glasses do you need for a dinner?
One water glass plus one wine glass per wine per person. So for eight guests and two wines, you need eight water glasses and sixteen wine glasses, plus a few spares.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the glasses go on a set table?
Above and to the right of the plate, above the tip of the knife. The water glass goes closest, with the wine glasses to its right in the order they will be used.
In what order should the wine glasses be placed?
Place the glass for the first wine closest to the water glass, with the next one beside it or diagonally behind it. No more than three glasses at a time.
How many glasses per person for a dinner?
One water glass and one wine glass per wine you serve. Browse our wine glasses.
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