At the margins, Riedel (or other purpose-designed glassware) can make a difference. I've had a Chardonnay that tasted like wine in the Riedel glass, and like weakly-flavored vodka in a Tiffany goblet that is otherwise a great all-purpose glass. Most of the time, it's not so big a deal, or if there's a difference it's not always an advantage.
For normal everyday drinking, I prefer Williams-Sonoma's Bordeaux and Burgundy glasses. The 13 or 14oz size, I think-- they run all up and down the spectrum. Maybe $12/stem. But there is a slight edge to the Riedel Pinor Noir glass when I want to make a decent red Burg taste like a better one. Not usually enough to make me choose that glass, which I find a little clunky, but for some wines there is a small difference.
For normal everyday drinking, I prefer Williams-Sonoma's Bordeaux and Burgundy glasses. The 13 or 14oz size, I think-- they run all up and down the spectrum. Maybe $12/stem. But there is a slight edge to the Riedel Pinor Noir glass when I want to make a decent red Burg taste like a better one. Not usually enough to make me choose that glass, which I find a little clunky, but for some wines there is a small difference.
