With all the senses
Mathias also found the mouthfeel and haptics especially noteworthy. The tumblers are available with a glazed or matt satin surface. The sommelier is particularly enthusiastic about the matt finish. “It makes a huge difference to the drink because you have the three dimensions of aroma, taste and feel. The senses make you much more present in the moment.” And this suits the pure, unadulterated enjoyment of wine, after all; taste is not the only thing to play a pivotal role. “When it comes to the senses, 80% goes via the nose,” explains Mathias.
But the expert does also find disadvantages when compared to a glass. “The filling capacity is tricky.” The opaque, golden interior of the tumblers presents less of a challenge at home than in the restaurant trade. The staff are very well trained and have a feel for it, but the guest will always want to know precisely how much they have in their glass or tumbler. Nevertheless, it is also an opportunity for restaurateurs to tease the guest out of their comfort zone. You have something new, something to talk about. “This kind of meal out is all about experiences and emotions,” says Mathias. He also sees an additional benefit to the classic glass: even if the walls of the porcelain tumblers are “astonishingly thin”, high-quality stemmed glasses are lighter and more elegant when swirled. If the tumbler is not placed back down in between and is held in the hand for longer, the beverage warms. “But this can also be seen as a positive thing,” suggests Mathias, “because the fact that it warms more quickly may lead to aromas being perceived that would not have been tasted otherwise.”

Won over by the digestifs
The sommelier was especially impressed by the digestif tumblers. “Absolutely fantastic,” he says, referring in particular to the virtues of the shape. The tumblers taper conically upwards and narrow significantly here. “This means that the alcohol doesn’t hit your nose immediately,” he explains. Unlike the shape of many other shot glasses, this makes it possible to discern the aromas better.

In conclusion
From Mathias’ point of view, the tumblers are a sophisticated addition and worthwhile alternative for all those who enjoy discovering new things. As with much in our everyday lives, it is all about diversity here. “No two days are the same. One day I’ll drink from a glass and the next from porcelain. It’s the same at home. And I think that’s the great thing about it: always having something new and not lapsing into monotony.”