On glass, ritual, and letting wine show its best side.
There are sommeliers who know wine, and then there are sommeliers who understand it: the difference between reciting a list and genuinely listening to what's in the glass.
Honey Spencer, sommelier at Sune, belongs firmly in the second camp. Her approach is instinctive but considered: guided by aromatics, structure, and an honest belief that the vessel matters as much as what's inside it. We sat down with Honey to talk through her favorite NUDE glasses, the wines she's pouring right now, and why less is always more when it comes to building a great collection.
Which three NUDE glasses would you like to spotlight in this feature, and which wines would you naturally pair them with right now?
I'm in love with the Stem Zero Medium Red Glasses: they are perfect for moments that deserve a sense of occasion, whether that's a momentous event or simply pulling the cork on something great after a hard day during the week. They are best suited to light-bodied, fragrant reds, as one can pick up on the aromas perfectly. Reds from Burgundy, Jura or the Savoie, or even reds from Spain's Rías Baixas, are heaven when tasted from this range.
Can we also have a moment for the NUDE water glasses? At Sune we use them both for water and short drinks like Vermouth and Soda. I love using 'Muz' Vermouth, made in Catalunya and crafted by a wonderful pair of artisanal natural winemakers, Antonella and Massimo, who own a winery called Partida Creus.
And the Stem Zero Delicate White Wine glass is my go-to for everyday drinking, particularly in spring and summer, when the ingredients I'm cooking with are lighter and fresher and command wines that match that freshness: whites from Kent or Sussex, for instance. They also showcase the pétillance of sparkling wines wonderfully, from Pét Nat to Champagne.
When you're introducing a new seasonal wine, how do you decide which glass it belongs in?
The process begins by assessing the structure and aromatic detail of the wine. Is it a wine with much detail? If so, it needs to be savored from a larger glass with a wider diameter rim so those aromatics can really open up. For fresher, leaner whites and reds, a slightly smaller bowl often works beautifully, as it keeps the wine feeling lifted and precise. Ultimately, it's about letting the wine show its best side: the right glass should amplify what makes that wine special rather than overwhelm it.
How does the right glass change a guest's first impression of a wine?
It makes an enormous difference. Before a guest has even taken their first sip, the glass sets the stage for the entire experience. A beautifully balanced, elegant glass makes the wine feel more expressive and considered, and guests tend to slow down and engage with it more. It's a small detail, but in hospitality those details shape the whole meal.
If you had to describe your ideal wine glass in three words, what would they be?
Elegant, weightless and distinct.
What's one misconception about wine glasses you often find yourself correcting?
That you need dozens of different glasses for every grape variety under the sun. In reality, a few well-designed shapes will do a wonderful job across many styles of wine. It's much more about proportion, balance and the thinness of the rim than having a glass specifically labelled for each grape.
What type of wine demands the most precision in glass selection?
Probably very aromatic wines, things like Jura Savagnin, skin-contact whites or delicate alpine reds. Those wines carry so much nuance in their aromatics that the shape of the bowl really affects how they present themselves. A good glass allows all those subtle layers to reveal themselves gradually.
How should home drinkers think differently about glass choice?
Keep it simple but intentional. You don't need a huge cupboard of glasses, but choosing a few beautiful, versatile ones can completely elevate the experience of opening a bottle at home. A good glass invites you to slow down, smell the wine properly and enjoy the ritual, which is really what wine is all about.
"Behind every memorable sip is the quiet partnership between craft and vessel. NUDE's Stem Zero glassware doesn't just hold great wine, it reveals it, allowing it to be truly savored."
