Have you ever seen a thick glass wine glass with the remains of red wine on the narrow bottom, accidentally forgotten by someone on the shelf of an old sideboard? It seems that the faceted stemmed glass is somehow not from here, as if it came from the 19th century. You want to take it in your hands, touch this thick glass, touch it and look into the past.
Faceted Lafite glasses on a stem were a must in every noble and merchant house. As soon as the owner appeared on the threshold, a servant would bow low and offer a small glass of Lafite or vodka. The merchant would drain it in one gulp, wipe his moustache with his sleeve and grunt with pleasure. No snacks were allowed. Such a small portion for the mood!
Content
- What does a Lafitte glass look like today?
- Features of the shape and difference from a regular faceted glass
- Types of Lafitniks
- Sizes of Lafitte glasses and shot glasses
- What materials are used to make faceted Lafitte glasses?
- What drinks are drunk from a Lafite glass?
- VIDEO: Gift set of Lafite glasses “Merchant”.
What does a Lafitte glass look like today?
It has survived many times and is now back in fashion. If you see a small faceted glass on a stem, you know that you are looking at the famous Lafitte glass.
Previously, they were made of thick glass, ten edges were necessarily applied along the entire perimeter and they were given a cone shape. The glass was of low quality: uneven surface, presence of small bubbles, streaks and defects. The leg of the Lafitnik is wide, squat, so that it stands firmly on the table.
Nowadays, such dishes are made of crystal or thin glass. The name has firmly migrated to all small cone-shaped glasses. They are often decorated with patterns, monograms, but this is already an acquisition of the current century.
Features of the shape and difference from a regular faceted glass
The Lafitte glass has its own secret that distinguishes it from all its fellow shot glasses, goblets and goblets. Its shape is considered the most ideal for tasting wine or vodka so that the drink is absorbed by the body with pleasure and benefit.
- The vodka in the Lafitnik remained cold for a long time because the bottom of the glass did not touch the table.
- The shape of the inverted cone made it possible to drink vodka or wine in two gulps. The first big one for taste, the second small one flew after it like a falcon. Experts claim that such a process brings real pleasure.
- Wine lovers respect the Lafitnik for its reliability. It stands securely on a small, sturdy leg and will not tip over.
- The thick walls of the Lafitnik could withstand even the most desperate clinking, producing a rough, crystal-free “dzink”.
- The glass is so thick that even if it falls off the table, it won’t always break.
The name of the small glass comes from the expensive red sweet wine Lafite, popular at the very beginning of the 19th century. It was brought from France, and the exquisite product was bought mainly by nobles and wealthy merchants.
They drank in small portions, and such small containers were perfect for this. Later, any expensive sweet wine was called Lafite. The drink has long been forgotten, but the shot glasses have firmly taken root in our reality.
Types of Lafitniks
Their shape has not changed much over a long period of time. It is still the same small faceted glass on a squat stem. The choice is simply richer.
- A tulip-shaped shot glass on a short stem made of thick glass. Many families have preserved Lafitniks, made in Soviet times from translucent pressed glass. For those who like to reminisce about the last century and drink culturally, it is impossible to imagine anything better. A small dose will allow you to keep to the norm, drink for appetite, mood or for the road;
- A crystal shot glass on a short stem, decorated with monograms or coats of arms. This is a modern modification of the old Lafitte glass. They are good for a friendly male company, for a heart-to-heart talk. It is impossible to overdo it with such doses, but the pleasure of your favorite wine and pleasant conversation with friends is guaranteed;
- Modern glass shot glasses are produced in various capacities - 50 ml, 75 ml, 100 ml. Life is changing for the better, why not take a couple more sips.
Modern glass production has adopted the Lafitte shot glasses, which have not lost their popularity over several centuries. The modern buyer is offered a wide range of gift sets that will please any man.
- Lafitnik "Heritage"
A set of six crystal elegant shot glasses of small capacity 50 ml and a decanter for vodka of 700 ml. All products are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting a double-headed eagle. The decorations are made using the technique of blackening silver and polishing. The set is handmade.
- A nobleman's Lafitte glass
The gift set consists of six cone-shaped crystal glasses on a low stem and an elegant thin-walled decanter. The capacity of the glasses is 50 ml, the capacity of the decanter is 700 ml. All products are decorated with monograms or high reliefs with silver inclusions. The set is handmade.
- Lafite glass "Crystal ringing"
The set consists of six small crystal Lafitte glasses in the shape of a bell on a small stem and a decanter of the same shape. The products are decorated with elegant patterns along the upper edge. When the glasses touch, a melodic ringing is heard. Made by hand.
- Tavern Lafitnik
A set of six Lafitte glasses, a crystal decanter and a herring dish. Handmade. The items have no pattern, they resemble traditional Russian Empire tableware made of thick glass. Eight facets on each glass, height 9 cm, stable low leg.
- Merchant's Lafitte glass
The set includes six traditional Lafitte glasses of a conical shape on a low stem. The lack of patterns makes them very similar to those that were so popular in the past. The glasses can be chosen in a capacity of 25 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml or 75 ml.
Sizes of Lafitte glasses and shot glasses
The sizes depend on the preferences of their owners. Those who like to drink wine or vodka in small portions will choose a Lafitnik with a capacity of 50 ml. Those who prefer larger portions can opt for the largest one – 150 ml.
There are also very miniature representatives of this family. They hold only 25 ml of drink. But these are collectibles, and are rarely used in everyday life.
Some vodka and wine connoisseurs prefer regular shot glasses to Lafitniks. The only difference is in the shape of the vessel. The shot glasses resemble a glass on a stem. If it is missing, such a shot glass is called a shot glass. Usually the capacity is small: the smallest is 30 ml, the largest is considered 50 ml.
What materials are used to make faceted Lafitte glasses?
In the Russian Empire, Lafitnik glasses were made of thick glass of very low quality. They were not transparent due to the presence of bubbles and stains in the glass. Now they are made of crystal or high-quality glass, but the shape has remained unchanged.
Glass Lafitnik
It is squat and slightly uneven, pleasant to hold in hands, it creates a mood and adds courage. This tableware is so sweet that neither time nor historical troubles can displace it from our hearts.
Crystal products
Lafite crystal glasses, why not. They have become louder, more elegant, thinner, more transparent, lighter. The shape is the same, but in other respects only better. It is also pleasant to drink wine from them, they have the same solid character. They also stand steadily on the table. You can’t think of anything better for a good company.
What drinks are drunk from a Lafite glass?
Experienced professionals, whose opinion can be safely trusted, say that it is best to drink cold vodka from Lafitniks, when the walls are fogged up, covered with small droplets and so pleasantly cool the hand. The precious drink flies by in one gulp, is drunk softly and easily.
Others argue and say that red wine is best drunk from Lafitniks. It's a matter of taste. Try it and decide for yourself. In any case, no matter what you prefer, cute Lafitnik glasses will add flavor and mood to any drink.
