Porron

A porrón is a captivating glass wine pitcher originating from Catalonia, Spain, which has since spread to other regions. Designed for communal drinking without direct contact, it holds 0.75 liters of wine. Picture a hybrid between a wine bottle and a watering can—that's a porrón! Featuring a slender top sealed with a cork and a spout that extends from the bottom to a small opening, this ingenious design keeps the wine fresh by minimizing its exposure to air and facilitating easy pouring.

Although porróns were once a common household item, their prevalence has diminished over time. Today, they are more likely to be found in Catalan restaurants, where they may be filled with a variety of beverages, including white and red wines, cava, and sweet dessert wines.

Drinking from a porrón requires a bit of technique. Novices should start by tilting the spout towards their teeth and then gradually pulling the vessel away while looking upward. With practice, one can perfect the skill of drinking without spilling a drop, maintaining the spout at a distance from the mouth. Despite being largely supplanted by modern bottles and glasses, porróns remain a delightful novelty in Catalan and Spanish-themed eateries, offering patrons a chance to demonstrate their drinking finesse.

Even literature has acknowledged porróns. George Orwell mentioned them in his book "Homage to Catalonia" describing them as glass bottles with a pointed spout that allow for drinking without direct lip contact, somewhat resembling bed-bottles.