Wine goblets aren't the first thing to come to mind when you think about drinking wine, but if you know what the term means then you might start considering wine glasses to be wine goblets. Basically they are glasses shaped like bowls that attach to stem bases. Before glass was used, back in the 5th Century AD, folks used a goblet made from clay. They were used as ceremonial vessels more than for everyday drinking ware and even today the goblet is used at events like weddings. From clay they made their way into pewter and later gold, silver; and finally to the modern glassware we use for wine drinking. Though today they aren't so much referred to as wine goblets as the more common term, wine glasses.

I misspoke when I said the wine goblet wasn't used for an everyday drinking vessel. It was. But the type of goblet used every day was of lower quality than those used as ceremonial vessels. Higher quality goblets were saved for the more prestigious events and ceremonies and were usually owned by the more affluent of society. These would have been your silver wine goblets and ones that were jewel encrusted or made of gold as during the Roman Empire Era. Today we consider crystal wine goblets to be the higher quality drinking vessel for things like weddings and other special occasions.

Pewter today is nothing like it was when it was first constructed for drinking out of. Back in its first use, pewter was made with lead. Today we know that lead is toxic to the human body and pewter wine goblets are made without the use of lead. Pewter makes for great goblets because it is easily molded and has a low melting point which because it is a soft metal. Because of this fact, goblet makers find it to be a great metal for forging. Maintaining the luster of pewter goblets can take a little effort because they do tarnish quickly. You need to wash them in warm soapy water and make sure you rinse all the soap off. Don't air-dry them, as they will quickly tarnish, but use a soft cloth to wipe them dry and polish them along the polish lines so you don't leave streaks.

Plastic wine goblets are perfect for large gatherings like weddings and banquets. They are inexpensive to supply, are clear and have a beautiful contemporary look like glass, however you can find some plastic as colored wine goblets. Most are crafted from durable acrylic and styrene blends which make them extremely scratch resistant. Some are dishwasher safe and won't cloud and you can even put some in a microwave to reheat liquids, for whatever reason you would need to do that. These are especially fine alternatives to glass in an outdoor setting as they won't shatter if dropped.

Glass wine goblets are inexpensive alternatives to crystal and are used widely in restaurants and most homes. They have the large bulb to hold the wine and sit on a long stem with a wide round base. Quality glass goblets won't have any seams and are blown from a single piece of glass. Some of the more exquisite goblets will come with pewter stems and can be very decorative as wedding gifts for the bride and groom.

Red Wine Goblets are shaped to let the red wine open and breath to get the most out of its fruit flavors and aromas. They have large open bowls with narrow rims which help the wine aerate. Sometimes the mouth will be smaller than the bowl to trap and concentrate the aromas within the glass. When you sniff the wine the concentrated aromas will fill your nose and when you sip it for the first time the flavors will become fully realized by your tongue. Makes me want a glass right now.

If you are looking for some stylish glassware for your home bar then check out the selections of Mikasa wine goblets available online. They are some truly stylish glassware and will more than satisfy any need you have for some unique glass wine goblets.

If you'd like to get old school and make your own wine goblets then check out the following video and see how to throw a goblet on a pottery wheel.