The first step to cleaning and maintaining any stemware and decanters is to thoroughly rinse them with clean warm water as soon as possible after use. This is to ensure that no wine or sediment dries on your fine crystal.

 

Leaded crystal stemware such as Riedel Sommeliers, Vinum or Vinum Extreme requires hand washing and drying. The temperature and corrosive environment of the drying cycle in a dishwasher will damage the crystal over time. It is also recommended that crystallized glass stemware such as Spiegelau Authentis or Vino Grande be washed by hand. Crystallized glass stemware can be cleaned in the dishwasher but you should avoid the use of aggressive detergents and choose a cool short cycle. In order to avoid detergent residues, always rinse glasses thoroughly in clean water.

 

Hand-washing fine stemware and decanters is an easy job if you have the right tools:

• A dish cloth or brush designed for cleaning delicate stemware and decanters

• Crystal Sparkle™ washing soda (available exclusively at Wine Studio), baking soda or mild detergent

• Clean linen tea towel to rest the washed articles on and to dry them

• Two plastic tubs may be substituted to accommodate the wash and rinse without risk of bumping a glass against the sink or faucet.

 

Fill your sink with clean warm water and add two heaping tablespoons of Crystal Sparkle™ or other cleansing agent. Carefully wash your stemware being extra aware not to twist the bowl or stem. Wash the bowl by grasping the piece by the bowl. Wash the stem and base by grasping the piece by the base. Do not hold your wine stemware by the base and wash the bowl with a twisting motion. This may result in the bowl separating from the stem.

 

Rinse your stemware and decanters after washing and place upside down on a clean, dry tea towel. Leaded crystal has a very coarse, porous surface, which requires extra thorough rinsing to avoid any residue from washing. Detergent residue will spoil the taste of your wine.

 

Dry your crystal stemware by using two linen tea towels. Using the same technique as washing, dry each part of the stemware separately. Gently hold the piece by the bowl to dry the bowl. The same applies to the stem and base. Do not apply a twisting motion to any parts of the stemware. Dry your decanter by placing it upside down on a dry, clean cloth. For an extra sparkle, pass your stemware and decanters over a boiling pot of water and then gently polish them with a linen tea towel to a gleaming finish.

 

Store your crystal stemware and decanters in a clean, dry and cool place away from any sources of intense aroma. Leave a box of baking soda in the place where you store your stemware and decanters to prevent them from absorbing cooking or household odours.