Whether you’re a newbie or a wine connoisseur, you should know that wine stemware is a big part of the wine-drinking experience. From the way you store your wine glasses to the type of stemware you pick, the wine lover inside you will thank you for mastering the essentials of wine stemware.
Wine Stash has everything you need to store your wine bottles, such as our Bespoke Collection, but we also know a thing or two about the best ways to store your wine glasses.
Let’s get stuck in.
Storing Your Wine Glasses On a Rack
What is the best way to store wine glasses: upright or upside down? Spoiler: there isn’t exactly a right way. You will find many wine glasses rim down on a glass rack. The benefit of this is that it prevents dust from entering the bowl of the wine glass. It is also a space saver and, frankly, just looks impressive.
With that said, the most fragile part of any wine stemware is its stem, and hanging a wine glass upside down puts the most pressure on it. However, You will find that most wine glasses will be fine rim down on a rack, except for much more fragile glasses.
An example of a wine glass rack is the Single Row Glass Hanger which you can see below.
It should be noted that most of these tips apply to glass or crystal stemware. For plastic wine cups, there is much less chance of damage or wear.
How to Store Wine Glasses in a Drawer
When storing wine stemware in a drawer or cupboard, you’ll more likely find them upright. The benefits of this are that there will be less chance that moisture will remain on the glass, and that there is less pressure on the glass’s stem (when not hanging). Sure, there is more chance that dust may settle inside the bowl, but keeping it in a drawer will largely solve that issue, as well as a healthy amount of washing.
Whether you are storing them rim up or rim down, make sure that each glass has at least a centimetre between them, and that the surface isn’t privy to vibration. It also helps to get grip-textured liner or mats along the shelf, keeping the wine glasses vibration-free.
Plastic Stemware
Although a little less fancy, plastic stemware is convenient for those who don’t want to risk damaging their wine glasses. With that said, plastic stemware can still be stained and absorb scents.
But, if you are planning on some outdoor wine drinking, something like the plastic Travino Spillproof Wine Cup will be a perfect choice!
Tips for Cleaning Wine Glasses
Ideally, the best way to clean wine stemware is by hand, using fragrance-free detergent to prevent the glass from absorbing scents.
Here are some tips for how to clean wine glasses in a hassle-free way:
- Fill each glass with water if you don’t plan on washing it straight away.
- Wash each glass by hand using a soft, clean sponge and with warm, soapy water. This helps to prevent damage to the delicate glass.
- Wash gently - especially the stemware’s rim and stem.
- Clean your stemware before and after using it. Even if the stemware is coming straight out of storage, there’s a chance that there will be dust in it.
You can use a dishwasher, though there is some risk of breakage. Ensure that each glass has enough space and won’t clink against other dishes.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your wine glasses in peak condition, as well as improve your wine drinking experience. For more premium wine accessories, check out Wine Stash’s online store.
