Robinson’s Return: Jancis’s Glassware Is Back

The glass was great to use – more silk pyjamas than business suit. Wine in the Jancis Robinson glass tasted as good or better than the range of wines tasted in alternative glasses, although my judgement may have been influenced by the glasses’ lightness and almost sensual delicacy.
Huon Hooke

We had a fantastic time with Jancis Robinson when she came out to Australia last November to launch her glassware in Sydney and Melbourne. So good was it, in fact that the whole lot got snapped up before Christmas! We’re delighted to say a new shipment has arrived. And while these are far from celebratory times – whether you’re a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full person – chances are you’re a glass person. And one in need of a damn good drink. Jancis’s visit happened back when we could congregate with lively conversation and lovely wines. We had a great time with a wide range of friends across the restaurant and retail scene. Being a universal glass, we got to show how well these glasses – the result of a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Jancis and celebrated London-based product designer Richard Brendon – showcased all sorts of vinous treasures. We had Champagne from Jacquesson, dry Riesling from Georg Breuer and Auslese Goldkapsel from Dr Loosen, grand-cru Chablis from Louis Michel, G.D. Vajra Barolo, red Burgundy from Taupenot-Merme, Cabernet from Yeringberg – you name it. And through the whole process – from sparkling to still, dry to sweet, white to red, light- to full-bodied – the glass shone. In fact, the only threat to the glass’s fame were the equally elegant decanters. There are two of these, of course: One for loosening up a tight young wine (and, handily, with a bowl big enough to fit a magnum) and the other for breathing an aged bottle without losing its delicate perfume. “I think people who’ve tried them really do appreciate how they look, and I feel very confident that they look great in any setting, whether it’s a classical setting or a very modern setting,” Jancis said of the pieces. “They also feel nice; the weighting is very good. I would say to have a wine glass designed by a wine professional really does make a difference. The whole point of our glass is that it is for wine lovers. It’s for people who want to get the most out of every glass.”

Finest Crystal – The glasses are light and perfectly balanced, with a particularly fine rim to minimise the amount of glass that comes between wine and palate.

Lead-Free – The glass ensures that each piece is light, ultra-fine and durable against clouding.

Mouth-Blown – The master craftspeople who meticulously hand-make each piece are among the most skilled glass blowers in the world.

Perfect Pour – A 125ml pour comes to the widest point of the bowl, maximising the release of the all-important aromas.

Dishwasher Safe – The Wine Glass has been designed to fit to fit easily into domestic and commercial machines, and its sturdy stem minimises the likelihood of breakages.

THE COLLECTION

The Wine Glass
Gift Twin-Pack / $130 Gift Six-Pack / $366 12-pack $677
Precision-engineered to be the only stemmed glass you need to enjoy every wine at its best. Use this glass for every wine, whatever its colour, including sparkling wine, port, sherry, sweet wines and anything else you want to savour and enjoy to the fullest. This shape has been specially designed to maximise your enjoyment of all wines’ aromas, flavours and textures in the most practical way possible. Dimensions: 9cm diameter; height 22.4cm.

The Stemless Glass
Gift Twin-Pack $99 / Gift Six-Pack $297
This as versatile as it gets. As a water glass, it fits perfectly with the wine glass to create a beautiful table setting. The shape of the bowl mimics the exact curvature of the wine glass, meaning this stemless version may be used as a wine glass if desired, retaining all the tasting benefits of the generous tulip shape. And then again, it’s the elegant solution for your G&T, Negroni, straight whiskey or whatever floats your boat. Dimensions: 9cm diameter; height 11.5cm.

The Young Wine/Magnum Decanter $185
This is a generous and bold decanter for young wines needing aeration and maximum surface area for the wine. The long neck allows for a strong grip that will allow you to swirl the wine energetically, allowing oxygen to encourage and hasten a young wine’s evolution and mellow the flavours. As an important bonus, the bowl is also large enough to accommodate a magnum. Dimensions: 17cm diameter; height 23cm.

The Aged Wine Decanter $230
This bottle-shaped decanter allows you to decant a mature wine off its sediment whilst ensuring that it is not exposed to too much harmful oxygen. The refined shape follows the form of the Wine Glass and the beautiful mouth-blown stopper adds an element of contemporary design to your table. Dimensions: 9cm diameter; height 27.2cm.