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164
What Shall We Drink?
Champagne or Sparkling Burgundy glasses remain before the
guest. When the cordial glass is emptied, it, too, should be
removed,leaving the post-prandial table containing only the
glasses for toasting, which, of course, are filled and refilled as
the toasting progresses.
The time for remaining at table is guided by host or
hostess after the meal is finished. This varies, but it usually
is not good form to rise immediately before observing some
of the table amenities, after the finger bowls have been
removed.
After rising,the men probably will wish to smoke and the
ladies to powder their noses a bit, and then,these little func
tions disposed of, the social hour for chat and informahty is
made more deHghtful with occasional glasses of sparkhng
beverages.
Cigarettes at table are permissible, but cigars should not
find place there if ladies are present. Cigars, of course, are
quite proper at "stag" dinners.
And now,let us discuss the various types of glasses that
should go with the wines and other beverages.
Suppose we start with the cocktail glass,the usual one for
the aperitif or appetizer.
The cocktail glass varies in size and shape, but usually is
a stemmed glass with a sort of wide-mouthed, half spheroid
shape. Others are wider-mouthed and shallower or short-
stemmed and conical, flaring at top and much resembling a
Sherry glass. Others are straight, slender cylinders. Their
capacities vary from about two to six ounces. As in wine
glasses, the bowls should be transparent.
For the dry white wines, glasses of the medium high stem
tuUp type or high-stemmed spheroid shapes should be used,
the bowls crystal clear. This rule is modified, as before
stated,in the case ofthe Rhine, Alsatian, Moselle and Chablis
wines, when either the palest yellow or palest green bowls
may be used. The capacities of the glasses vary from five to
seven ounces. Don't be alarmed, however, so far as the
capacities are concerned, for no wine glass ever should be
filled to the brim,but preferably only to a generous half ofthe
capacity. This is to permit of "rolling" the wine in the glass