Sentence:  [H]e springs to another wooden vat and turns a valve, filling a <WSD>snifter</WSD> with a warm amber liquid. ... Bang holds the liquid up to the light, swirls it around, takes a sniff of the pungent bouquet, puts the glass to his lips—and gives a satisfied smile. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A pear-shaped glass for drinking brandy or other alcoholic beverages.