Speak of the devil. On Tuesday last week I wrote this post and mentioned I don’t have any nice tall stemware. On Friday this arrived on my door step. I knew via an e-mail from the week before that I was getting a surprise delivered but I had no idea what it was. Fate?
Anyway, having Anne over on Saturday was the perfect opportunity to test drive these babies. They are Essence Plus by Alfredo Häberli for Iittala.
The new idea behind these is that you don’t choose the size of the glass depending on if it’s a white wine or a red wine but rather if it’s a lighter or heavier wine.
The tulip shape allows for the wine to be twirled around so you can get a better sense of the aroma and it’s why there’s a lot of moisture on the inside of the glasses in these photos, Anne and I were twirling away all evening.
Getting these was such a nice surprise and while it’s probably not the stemware I would have chosen for myself (I’ve had my eye on the regular Essence which has straighter lines) they are very elegant and did feel lovely to drink out of.
Thank you Iittala!
Ohhh lovely. Don't happen to have an Aalto vase lying around too, do you? For me, Alvar, Marimekko and Iittala are the Holy Trinity :)
Posted by: Judith | February 27, 2013 at 07:34 AM
Hm. Manly hands that could do with som TLC. But the glasses are pretty!
Posted by: Anne | February 27, 2013 at 08:25 AM
They're not manly! Did you not see mine?
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 27, 2013 at 08:41 AM
I too like the look of the regular Essence more, but I've understood this shape is better for the wine. What a nice gift, especially when you didn't have similar already.
Posted by: Leena | February 27, 2013 at 08:41 AM
I do! I have a large vintage white one (signed!)that I got from my mom after my clear one got badly chipped. I love that vase but it does demand quite a substantial bouquet!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 27, 2013 at 08:43 AM
I like the shape - but the big question is; did they make the wine taste wonderful?! :-D
Posted by: tinajo | February 27, 2013 at 08:45 AM
Ah, but you see I'm no wine connoiseur so I probably wouldn't know the difference. The wine I got by recommendation from Systembolaget did taste great and the glasses do have a nice feeling to them when you swirl and drink. Anne did comment on that you can get a better sence of the aroma of the wine out of the glass and I guess the aroma is part of the wine experience :).
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 27, 2013 at 08:50 AM
It did! Or maybe it was the company... but they were very nice to sip wine from.
Posted by: Anne | February 27, 2013 at 08:51 AM
We have the regular Essence....love them! So thin and great to sip from!
Posted by: Helena | February 27, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Those are very nice! I do swirl my wine around a lot, and those glasses would be great for that. I'm also looking to upgrade to some nicer stemware the next time we move (I keep breaking our cheap stemware so much I'm surprised there's any left), so I will have to keep this company in mind!
Posted by: Heather P. | February 27, 2013 at 03:42 PM
I love love love the tulip shape! These are gorgeous!!!
Posted by: ~Michelle | February 27, 2013 at 04:20 PM
You goof! I clasped my chest and thought, "Who would SAY such a thing!! It is so UNTRUE!!" :)
Posted by: Lisa | February 27, 2013 at 04:31 PM
Yeah, I was getting ready to get all upset then saw that you were saying that about yourself (right?).
Not manly, though. :)
Posted by: devil | February 27, 2013 at 05:23 PM
I think I am going to start mentioning all the things I don't need on my blog - like a top of the range sewing machine, more money and a fantastic job!
Posted by: Hxx | February 27, 2013 at 10:04 PM
SIGNED?! :O ...I'm officially jealous.
Posted by: Judith | February 28, 2013 at 08:47 AM
Yeah it's pretty cool. I don't know if it's actually signed by him in person or by one of the workers blowing the vase but it has a hand scratched "Alvar Aalto" at the bottom and the vase doesn't have a sticker on the rim like they do now, the Iittala logo is permanent in the glass.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 28, 2013 at 09:00 AM
So the real deal. WOW!
Posted by: Judith | February 28, 2013 at 09:37 AM
Yep. Hand and opinion, all mine :)
Posted by: Anne | February 28, 2013 at 02:36 PM
Yipee!! A Swede who removes the stickers from their glassware :-) Thank you, Benita, thank you!
Posted by: Monica | March 01, 2013 at 02:17 PM
I got the Sarjaton glasses for Christmas. I love them and I drink everything from them, wine as well.
Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Marianne | March 01, 2013 at 05:49 PM