Emma Mackintosh glass

HAND BLOWN GLASSWARE

Picture this: you’ve spent a glorious March weekend in the Lakes. You are about to hop on the train home at Oxenholme station, luggage in one hand, sandwich in the other. It’s a good quality, sourdough sandwich with your favourite filling but, with a train to catch, you didn’t have time to enjoy it at the local cafe you bought it from, so it’s coming with you on your journey.

I would bet that that sandwich would taste far better if, instead of eating it on the train, you had been able to stay in the Lakes and enjoy it over a cup of coffee and a view. That sandwich would also be tastier eaten from a plate rather than a takeaway bag.

In other words, ambience and atmosphere are a very important part of enjoying food and drink.

Of course, this isn’t revolutionary. We can all appreciate that good food and drink is much better enjoyed in the warmth of a cafe or restaurant, plated up on gorgeous crockery and served with a smile.

However, while we will often buy nice plates or special mugs to enjoy at home, we seem curiously immune to good glassware.

To me, a glass with character – one that interacts with the drinker, by touch or by sight, is then able to attract attention to its contents. Adding character to glassware, perhaps through texture or colour on the stem – can only enhance the drinking experience.

Imagine that bottle of good wine that you have been saving for a special occasion. Chances are, when you do come to drink it, the whole experience will be massively enhanced if you’re also able to decant it into your favourite, handblown glasses!

A handmade glass has a character that is not dull or uniform. It has soul, and that soul gives meaning and pleasure to the drink.

“Glass with a purpose and a sense of place”