Larder & Vine is a brand typically known for cookware, like Dutch ovens and skillets, but on perusing their latest collections, what drew my attention the most was their glassware. Specifically, the Café Short Glass Tumbler 4-piece set.
What initially attracted me to this item was its unique style. I previously owned a similar-looking crystal glass from Schott Zwiesel, and was keen to find something along the same lines. Here’s how it went.
Larder & Vine Crystalline Glassware Tumbler Set, Artisan Drinkware for Cocktails, Water, Whiskey or Spirits, Handmade in Poland (Cafe Short)
Specifications
- Price: $ 99.99.
- Size: 13.5 fluid ounces.
- Dimensions: 4.23 inches high x 3.5 inches diameter.
- Weight: .83 pounds.
- Set Size: 4 glasses.
- Material: Lead-free premium crystalline glass.
- Made by: Handmade in Poland.
Pros
- Lead-free.
- Beautiful.
- Hand crafted.
- Extremely durable and washes well next to other heavy items.
Cons
- Expensive, at $99 for a set of four.
What Drew Me into This Glassware Set
In addition to the beautiful design, the unique product description was pretty intriguing to me:
- Premium crystalline glass.
- Lead-free.
- Hand-crafted in Poland.
My crystal glasses didn’t hold up too well in the past and eventually all of them broke. I wouldn’t necessarily state that crystal glasses are bad, but there are some people (like me) who just aren’t as gentle with glasses, especially when washing them. I wanted to see how much stronger the lead-free crystalline glass was, as my research indicated that it had the following traits:
- The material is harder than crystal.
- It is more resistant to scratches.
- It withstands thermal shock better.
A comparison I found was that it was more like those indestructible Pyrex containers you see go to war in the kitchen, yet come out fine. Deciding to put it to the test, I made a request to try them out and was sent a set of four tumblers.
Trying Out the Tumblers for the First Time
As soon as I received the tumblers, I could see that they were absolutely stunning. The material looked phenomenal and felt sturdy yet luxurious. They felt heavier than I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because the glass itself is so sturdy. The beautiful design makes them look fragile, but they have the kind of durability you wouldn’t achieve with a pure crystal glass.
When I poured a few beverages in them, they felt just right in the hand, and looked quite beautiful, as well.
The Ultimate Test: Washing the Glassware
Since these were test units, I did not try to do a soft, gentle wash. Instead, I washed them like I normally would — with other items in the sink, like a steel pan or dishes.
Most people would never do such a thing with glassware, of course, let alone glasses this expensive, but the Larder & Vine glassware held up to the test. As long as you wash them well, they come out shining. If you aren’t thorough in drying them, some spots can appear on the glasses, but I believe that’s more user error than an issue with the glasses themselves. If using a dishwasher, the manufacturer recommends only placing the glassware on the top rack and going with a gentle or delicate cycle.
Will These Last the Test of Time?
I’ve had these glasses for six months now. There are no chips. There is no visual damage on any of the glasses. In short, they’re holding up extremely well. They are still my favorite glassware set, both at my home and when I go to other people’s homes to use their Schott Zwiesel or other glassware sets. I actually told someone who has an entire cabinet of Schott Zwiesel to look into these as well.
Considering that I have used these glasses on a daily basis for the past six months (mostly for water, but sometimes for milk or juice), I feel these glasses would last years without any issues. A pipe dream would be if I could fast forward and see if these glasses held up long enough to be passed down a generation, that would be absolutely marvelous. However, I won’t be able to report back on that for a few decades, so we can only hope that these beautiful glasses last that long.
The manufacturer themselves do not share any thoughts about the longevity of the glassware, so it seems that it would be contingent on individual usage. I’m not gentle with my personal glassware however, so I doubt there would be any intermediate issues with the glassware through ownership.
Larder & Vine Crystalline Glassware Tumbler Set, Artisan Drinkware for Cocktails, Water, Whiskey or Spirits, Handmade in Poland (Cafe Short)
Use These Glasses Daily, Not Just on Special Occasions
I love these glasses and now, having seen how durable they are, use them all the time. While it may be the norm to store fancy glasses in a cabinet and only take them out on special occasions, I would say to forget those restrictions with this glassware set and turn them into your everyday glasses.
In My Expert Opinion
I would definitely purchase these for myself, and I would recommend you doing the same. The feeling of these glasses in your hand, combined with the shape and material, is extremely appealing and brings a unique drinking experience at home.
