Having tastes for different wines and other hard drinks is not enough. What more one needs to know and learn is the manner in which it is served and in what type of containers it is served. To fully enjoy every drop of the tinkling drink, choose the right glass.
WINE
A big part of enjoying wine is breathing its aroma, which the curved sides of a real wine glass catch perfectly. Stemmed glasses, the same ones for both red and white wine, 10 to 14 ounces, will be fine. These also make great glasses for frozen drinks, like Margaritas, and will work for cocktails like sours as well.
HIGHBALL
You will need sturdy, straight-sided glasses that hold at least 8 to 10 ounces. The standard used by most bars, this is called a highball glass. What's a highball? Simplicity itself: ice plus liquor plus mixer. So, this glass serves for any straightforward drink like a whiskey and soda or a Screwdriver. The basic bartender can also offer highball glasses to beer-drinking friends.

OLD-FASHIONED
For purists who like their whiskey or vodka straight on the rocks, stock some squat (8- to 10-ounce), straight-sided, stemless glasses, called old-fashioned (after the Old-fashioned cocktail). If the weather's hot and you want to serve deep drinks, consider double old-fashioned instead. These larger (14- to 16-ounce) tumblers can replace highball glasses for thirsty guests and will hold any tall cooler (like a Collins).

COCKTAIL
Buy some so-called Martini glasses, if your budget allows. There's no substitute for their classic shape (holding the glass by its stem keeps your hot hand away from the chilled alcohol). Officially, bartenders call this a cocktail glass, because it's de rigueur for most jazzy, grown-up drinks — including Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, or Rob Roy. If the recipe reads: "Strain into a cocktail glass," you will be armed.

SHOT
If your crowd enjoys premium vodka, tequila, or bourbon neat, shot glasses (2 ounces) are a good investment. Substitute highball or old-fashioned glasses, if you like, but you'll be pouring more out of those pricey bottles.