The wine glass thread

[SGladwell]

What do you guys use for wine glasses? I'm not a huge Riedel fan. I currently have 14 stitches on my right hand for trying to catch a C-note's worth of falling Riedel goblet as it exploded (and I do mean exploded) on a stainless sink after slipping from my hand. Also, their cheaper lines (such as the Target ones) have that edge on the stem that infuriates me. My fiancee has a very nice set of Riedel glasses, but I'm scared of them now. Any other alternatives that aren't quite as fragile? I was looking at eBay recently and I noticed a large number of Schott Zwiesel "Tritran" (titanium-crystal) 6-glass sets going for practically nothing. These demi-flutes look particularly interesting, and the seller has a bunch more for the same opening (and likely closing, considering prior auctions) price. (The same seller offers them BIN for $56.99.) Does anyone have experience with this line of stemware? Are the stems seam-free?

 

[sygyzy]

Just started getting into Riedel. I have port and scotch glasses from them. No experience with other brands, sorry.

 

[fritzl]

Zwiesel are an excellent choice. Quite more robust.

 

[jlgilman]

I happen to be in the crystal stemware business as a wholesaler. check out my web site at www.intcon.ca if you'd like.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by SGladwell

What do you guys use for wine glasses?

I'm not a huge Riedel fan. I currently have 14 stitches on my right hand for trying to catch a C-note's worth of falling Riedel goblet as it exploded (and I do mean exploded) on a stainless sink after slipping from my hand. Also, their cheaper lines (such as the Target ones) have that edge on the stem that infuriates me. My fiancee has a very nice set of Riedel glasses, but I'm scared of them now. Any other alternatives that aren't quite as fragile?

I was looking at eBay recently and I noticed a large number of Schott Zwiesel "Tritran" (titanium-crystal) 6-glass sets going for practically nothing. These demi-flutes look particularly interesting, and the seller has a bunch more for the same opening (and likely closing, considering prior auctions) price. (The same seller offers them BIN for $56.99.) Does anyone have experience with this line of stemware? Are the stems seam-free?

If it's just the seam that bothers you, Riedel has a new line being distributed through Williams-Sonoma that are seam-free. They're quite attractive too. You still have to be careful with them, however.

 

[globetrotter]

I read an excellent article a while back that attacked the science of Riedel, and basically claimed that humans can't taste the difference well enough to justify differently shapped glasses for differnt wines, from a taste perspective.

on the other hand - I love heavy crystal wine glasses. the ones I have are from eastern europe - czech republic.

 

[Droog]

We are transitioning to Riedel Vinum.

 

[chorse123]

That's really rough, SGladwell. If I were you I'd try the Schott Zwiesel. I have heard great things about those.

 

[Andrew V.]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

If it's just the seam that bothers you, Riedel has a new line being distributed through Williams-Sonoma that are seam-free. They're quite attractive too. You still have to be careful with them, however.


I think it's called the Riedel Grape line. Quite attractive indeed.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/...rggi/index.cfm

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by SGladwell

I currently have 14 stitches on my right hand for trying to catch a C-note's worth of falling Riedel goblet as it exploded (and I do mean exploded) on a stainless sink after slipping from my hand.

I hope no tendons were cut. that can be a *****.

 

[SGladwell]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I hope no tendons were cut. that can be a *****.

Luckily no, just basically one nasty parabolic slab of flesh on the "chopping" edge of my right hand and one other laceration. Nothing of any consequence, really. Thanks for asking, though.

 

[Violinist]

I'm still trying to imagine a Riedel glass cutting a hand that badly... the Riedel I have is paper thin. Exactly how many glasses did you vaporize in your sink?

 

[TheIdler]

I have used Speigelaus, Riedels and Zweisels, and I have to say I like the Tritan line. Although the high-end Riedels are amazing (the line that's called "Sommelier&quot, and the Vinums are great as well, a friend who's a sommelier recommended the Zwiesels for everyday use, primarily because they're less prone to breakage. We've had them for almost a year and I'm really happy. They look elegant enough to me, and they're very durable--no drops yet, but they've gotten a few bumps that would have shattered one of our more fragile glasses.

 

[itsstillmatt]

We use Lobmeyr. I think that it is a lot nicer than Riedel and while super light, it is extremely durable. They have a great shop in Vienna that is worth checking out.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I read an excellent article a while back that attacked the science of Riedel, and basically claimed that humans can't taste the difference well enough to justify differently shapped glasses for differnt wines, from a taste perspective.

on the other hand - I love heavy crystal wine glasses. the ones I have are from eastern europe - czech republic.

Who cares. That's not really the point. Just hold a Sommeliers in your hand. If you have any appreciation of art and craftsmanship, you'll buy a box full.