There is a reason that wine lovers are particular about their glassware. The shape of a glass isn't just about aesthetics – it can determine how a wine opens up, how aromas gather and, ultimately, how it tastes and is enjoyed.
For generations, the Italian glassmakers at Zafferano have refined this relationship between form and flavour, combining heritage craftsmanship with elegant design. Each piece is shaped to bring out the best in what you're drinking – whether that's a delicate white wine or a rich, complex whisky.
Yet mastering which wine or spirit belongs in which glass is a craft. Should that crisp Vermentino be enjoyed in a smaller bowl or something more open? Does your favourite Barolo need room to breathe, or will a narrower rim concentrate its complexity?
Here, Miranda Fong, Director of independent wine retailer Bottle Apostle, pairs ten of Zafferano's most distinctive designs – from wine glasses to tumblers – with the wines and spirits that will truly shine in them.
The glass: Zafferano Esperienze Red Wine Glass
The bottle: Barolo Castagni 2013, Michele Reverdito – Castagni is a recent Barolo cuvee from this superb estate and their most affordable. Yet it is not a junior wine, is has all the roundness one associates with the La Morra zone plus all the backbone and power you'd hope for. And it will only improve over time.
The glass: Zafferano Esperienze White Wine Glass
The bottle: Cotes de Provence Blanc 2024, Château de Pourcieux – Made with 100% Rolle, but you may know it as Vermentino. This wine is pretty much everything you could want from this variety. Insanely drinkable with salted grapefruit, a zippy bright structure and delicate jasmine notes. An organically certified wine that's managed to trap a ray of sunshine in the bottle from its high mountain sites.
The glass: Zafferano Esperienze Dessert Wine Glass
The bottle: Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2022, Domaine des Bernardins – With so much aroma and flavour, this is one of the best of the region, with rich orange citrus, apricot, sweet almond notes, and all the florality and perfume one would expect. Very uplifting in style, bright, lively and an excellent balance of alcohol.
The glass: Zafferano Esperienze Champagne Glass
The bottle: 1460 Extra Brut NV, Champagne Dumont-Terrillon – A step up from their flagship Deux A cuvée, aptly named after the number of days this Champagne sits in bottle sur lattes. A poised and richly generous Champagne brimming with lemon shortbread and the touches of spice from 12% spent in oak. One of the smallest cuvées they produce, and exclusive to our shelves in the UK. A real treat for the money and Extra Brut with 5.6g/l dosage.
The glass: Zafferano Bilia Tumblers
The bottle: Hatozaki Blended Whisky, The Kaikyo Distillery – Named after what is thought to be the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan. Light and fruity on the nose with just a touch of savoury. The palate is round and smooth as you'd expect, with some sweet caramel and toffee coming through from the cask ageing.
The glass: Zafferano Veneziano Martini Glass
The bottle: Pollination Gin, The DYFI Distillery – Small batch gin from Wales, produced in London Dry style. Botanicals used include wild flowers, aromatic leaves and conifer tips. Very delicate and delicious.
The glass: Zafferano Eventi Tumbler
The bottle: Vault Non-Alcoholic Aper1tivo, Vault Aperitivo – Vault has created an absolute superstar of the non-alcoholic world that should be treated as you would any full-strength aperitivo drink. Made at their Saffron Walden distillery using a blend of apple cider vinegar, dates, liquorice root, burdock and juniper botanicals, to name a few, it is complex and brooding, like a perfectly-made bitter-sweet negroni. Expect plenty of herbal, minty notes that transport you to an Italian coastline as you sip and watch the world go by. Enjoy in a classic serve with quality tonic.
