Spiegelau | The Class of Glass
From creating fine glass mirrors for the old Royal courts of Europe to manufacturing sturdy yet fine glassware for the modern-day hospitality trade, Spiegelau has a history of high-performance. For five centuries Spiegelau have laboured to combine hand craftsmanship with the latest glass-making techniques.
Glass is a fascinating material. Not only does it fulfil a practical purpose but there are so many other ways in which glass enriches our life. It is brilliant, it reflects and refracts light and has a satisfying sound when glasses are clinked.
Still further, specific glass shapes and high quality glass surfaces, through the use of pure raw materials, enhance the aromas and taste of beverages.
Spiegelau glasses are extremely transparent, clear and brilliant. But how can these benefits be achieved?
To start with, it depends to a great extent on the type of glass used and the characteristics of the ingredients.
Glass consists of sand, lime (an alkaline earth oxide), Sodium or Potassium oxides (Alkali oxide) and a certain amount of cullet of the same composition. These ingredients will be melted at approx. 1500°C and in later steps formed to the desired product.
Depending on the composition, there are four major categories of glass: Borosilicate, Glass, Crystal glass, and Lead crystal.
Simultaneously, production methods and technical know how have a direct influence on the quality of the final product.
After undergoing 1500 dishwasher cycles, Spiegelau stemware was certified as “extremely dishwasher safe” by an independent laboratory. They found no scratching, markings, loss of brilliance, foggy shadows, change in colour or brilliance or build up of water chemicals and residue.
Spiegelau’s remarkable durability can be attributed in large part to the Platinum Glass process. As the glass goes from its powder to its liquid stage, liquid glass is passed through platinum-lined tubes to eliminate any impurities and remove all imperfections and inconsistencies that might otherwise exist. (Platinum prevents leaching that may occur from other equipment linings.) While more expensive, this innovative use of technology proves Spiegelau’s commitment to quality.
To ensure an enduring quality standard, Spiegelau has a strong commitment to its production sites in Germany. Modern technology and optimised machine made production enable Spiegelau to offer high quality products at affordable prices.
Cleaning
Glasses should always be washed carefully, preferably by hand. Because of Spiegelau's Platinum Glass all Spiegelau glasses are 100% dishwasher safe, but they are best cared for by avoiding harsh detergents and choosing a cool, short dishwashing cycle. To avoid detergent residue, rinse glasses thoroughly in clean water. When drying the bowl of the glass, avoid holding the glass by its stem or base as this can, in extreme cases, cause the stem to break at its narrowest point.
