Wow those Reidel Glasses Break easily !

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:06 pm

I've just finished spitting the dummy having broken 2 Vinum shiraz glasses while washing up. That's 5 in the last 6 months. I've always said washing up was overrated !

Pelican · Post by **Pelican** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:29 pm

I sympathise. I've not broken any for awhile. But I recall in 1998 buying 4 Riedel Vinum glasses - 2 Champagne and 2 Bordeaux. My first Riedels. The 2 Champagne glasses fell out of my backpack as I was walking home and shattered inside their cardboard boxes. Later that night out on the balcony Pelicanette accidentally knocked her Bordeaux glass over breaking it - in sympathy I rolled mine over the edge too. The people in the units below gave me a wide berth for a while after that.

Since then have only broken one Riedel like you whilst washing up. I am slowing replacing and upgrading to the top of the range Sommelier. Yet to smash a Sommelier - they seem more delicate but might be deceptively stronger than the Vinum range. This year I intend to get a couple of Sommelier Montrachet glasses as I've found the Vinum Chardonnay glass a bit too small for good Chardonnay.

As an aside I'm surprised that , given the cost of Riedel , some small glass makers/artists don't make some fine glassware. Here in Adelaide there is an artists studio called The Jam Factory and often they have on sale all types of fancy arty glass objects which are gloriusly useful for not much at all. Although I did notice a while ago they had decanters for sale. Given there's not much change out of A$100 for a Riedel Sommelier glass I'd be prepared to buy an artisan made local fine wine glass - as long as it meets the criterea of a good wine glass and the maker did not put fancy patterns etc on it. Maybe there are such glasses out there but I've not seen them. Having said that I do recall Rockford having some special Black Shiraz glasses produced - that you could pour your flat Black Shiraz into !

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:40 pm

Mike Hawkins wrote:I've just finished spitting the dummy having broken 2 Vinum shiraz glasses while washing up. That's 5 in the last 6 months. I've always said washing up was overrated !

I use Riedel copies.

They're almost as good (not quite) but if I break them (which I regularly do) at $12 ea they don't break the bank to replace.

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:00 pm

Funny thing is Gavin, I've broken many of the copies as well !!

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:06 pm

Mike Hawkins wrote:Funny thing is Gavin, I've broken many of the copies as well !!

Agreed

It just doesn't hurt as much!

Perhaps you should drink less (often)?

Just a thought? :roll:

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:10 pm

I think you're right. I'm sitting here watching TV with a bottle of sparkling shiraz and a bottle of Devil's Lair in front of me.

"My name is Mike and I have a problem ....."

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:14 pm

I have an amazing love/hate relationship with Riedels. I absolutely love the Riedel Vinum Chianti and Shiraz glasses but gee that cost me a lot.

This is the result of a night a few months ago... you don't want to be able to put your Riedel Vinum Chianti glass in a bottle like this at the end of the night or the morning after:

I also broken another Riedel Vinum Shiraz 2 weekends ago at my last Wine Club Dinner. Fell out of the bottom of the Riedel cardboard pack I was carrying them in. I don't think I would get a refund!

Adair

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:17 pm

I've given a few of them a knock over the years and got away with it. They are quite strong in certain places - the shiraz/cabernet glasses are pretty robust at theirs widest points - I've knocked some over sideways (empty, I hasten to add) and they've been OK. They're most fragile around the rim, and of course where the stem joins the bowl.

Ours have never seen a dishwasher (largely because we don't own one, but even if we did I don't like to expose such fine crystal to such harsh detergent), and rarely detergent, now I think about it. I wipe them fairly hard, I think, but only while holding the bowl, never the stem. One hand on the stem and one on the bowl is a guaranteed way to turn one glass into two pieces of glass...

cheers,
Graeme

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:18 pm

exactly why i put them through the dishwasher

i can guarantee you a domestic dishwasher will not ruin riedels quicker than hand washing and will do a far better job in a fraction of the time. ive never broken a riedel.

go the dishwasher you good thing

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:21 pm

The stem breaks for me the majority of the time... which there have been many.

Get stuffed Craig!!!

Adair

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:35 pm

mind you I dont use them often. never use them at a drunken party, never on a friday night, just special dinners with special wines. they are lovely glasses - love the vinum syrah, but they are a bloody hassle to clean

as adair can testify i have quite a large range of every day glasses, they do me 99% the time :lol:

Andrew Jordan · Post by **Andrew Jordan** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:26 pm

Mike Hawkins wrote:I've just finished spitting the dummy having broken 2 Vinum shiraz glasses while washing up. That's 5 in the last 6 months. I've always said washing up was overrated !

Mike,

I have heard that Barossa shiraz tastes better anyway drinking it out of those disposable plastic picnic cups. :wink:

And yes washing up is definitely overrated! Another reason to get yourself married .... :shock:

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:46 pm

Craig(NZ) wrote:exactly why i put them through the dishwasher

i can guarantee you a domestic dishwasher will not ruin riedels quicker than hand washing and will do a far better job in a fraction of the time. ive never broken a riedel.

go the dishwasher you good thing

I thought I read somewhere that extended exposure to the very caustic dishwasher soap powder causes PbO glass to develop a gradual haze over time.

I've never broken one hand-washing; our only casualties were the result of my wife's rather vigorous bench-wiping one day.

Carrying glasses around in cardboard boxes is a good way to guarantee breakages, not to mention the TCA-like aroma that box storage tends to impart.

We use nothing else to drink from at home. You want the things you use every day to be the best you can afford. If you can afford 'em, you may as well use them. (Applies to everything in the kitchen, especially knives, saucepans, etc.)

cheers,
Graeme

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:43 pm

I've broken a Reidel vinum Bordeaux by putting my second hand on the stem whilst polishing the bowl! Will only make that mistake once.

We just received some Vinum Syrah's (444/30) as a wedding present and love them. Somewhat of a bitch to get dry and polished without some cloudyness which is a source of much frustration. I use
Splash (15-20ml) in hot water then rince and hang to dry. I then get a lint free cloth and polish them totaly dry. I still get some dull finish at the bottom of the bowl. Any ideas?

I thought of adding them to the dishwasher after it has finished the wash cycle and allowing them to be steam dried with the rest of the load. Haven't tried this though.

Cheers
Elvis

Muscat Mike · Post by **Muscat Mike** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:56 pm

Craig(NZ) wrote:exactly why i put them through the dishwasher

i can guarantee you a domestic dishwasher will not ruin riedels quicker than hand washing and will do a far better job in a fraction of the time. ive never broken a riedel.

go the dishwasher you good thing

I really feel bad actually agreeing with something Craig says, BUT I also have never broken a Reidel or a copy and always use the dishwasher. My wife once,she has been warned, stacked the dishwasher and a Reidel broke, only because of theway she stacked it. I use these new "Finish" tablets number 4. It has a little ball of some stuff that helps polish the glass and does not cause the streaking that others talk of. Leave them all day or overnight and they are dry and clear.
MM.

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:05 pm

A strange way to break a Vinum Shiraz - we left a couple on the window ledge above the kitchen sink overnight in mid-winter, right next to the window glass. When Andrea washed one with hot water in the morning a quite neat oval segment popped out of one side - it had been about -7C outside overnight and that side of the glass was very cold, the hot water just caused it to crack out. :-(

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:20 pm

easy

rinse first under tap

1. short cycle
2. only a bit of powder

domestic dishwashers arent as hot as commercial and are fine.

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:20 pm

easy

rinse first under tap

1. short cycle
2. only a bit of powder

domestic dishwashers arent as hot as commercial and are fine.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:43 pm

I've broken several of the shiraz glasses in the dishwasher - if I'm not real careful, the stems stick up a bit too high... and snap off when I'm sliding the drawer in.

I've started upgrading to the "O" series stemless glasses - they're great in the dishwasher and are nearly impossible to knock over. They get finger marks on them fairly quickly, though.

Tristram Shandy · Post by **Tristram Shandy** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:10 am

I'm amazed to hear that people are putting crystal glasses (Riedel or otherwise) into dishwashers. Doesn't really show much respect for the fine art of glassblowing! Surely such fine crystal deserves better treatment.

There is really no need for any detergent or soap products at all if you're careful and are patient enough to take a few minutes to simply rinse out the glasses under the tap with some very warm water. A bit of gentle rubbing with the fingers is usually enough to remove all the stains and marks. A quick rinse with some hot water and that it.

I found some very nice Villeroy & Boch crystal for only $10 a glass at David Jones that I use for everyday tasting. A big round bowl with a large stable base. Just what the clumsy taster needs as the evening wears on.

Tristam

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:41 am

Yep you have to be careful sliding the drawers in.

I'm amazed to hear that people are putting crystal glasses (Riedel or otherwise) into dishwashers. Doesn't really show much respect for the fine art of glassblowing! Surely such fine crystal deserves better treatment.

Its got nothing to do with respect, couldnt give a toss about the 'fine art of glassblowing' - it has to do with getting them real clean with no hassle. As I said just add a little detergent, short cycle and on a domestic temperature dishwasher.

I am yet to see any form of deterioation in my glasses, and as I said if it does occur down the track I will replace them just like the guys who spend hours hand cleaning do when they break them. One thing about riedels is they are always replacable which is great (even if the cost isnt)

A little experiment....when you have spent ages handcleaning your glasses hold them up to a light and you will see that you arent too flash hot at cleaning. Dishwasher wins hands down.

Each to their own I say - i got better things to do than spend boring time walking on broken egg shells over a hot sink, tip toeing around, trying not to sneeze or make a false move in case "snap" or "crack" there goes another handwashed riedel!

C

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:43 am

I've started upgrading to the "O" series stemless glasses - they're great in the dishwasher and are nearly impossible to knock over.

Yeah, im tempted to try them too. for reds, a stem really isnt required - no need to keep the heat of the hand away from the wine.

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:37 am

Tristram Shandy wrote: Doesn't really show much respect for the fine art of glassblowing! Surely such fine crystal deserves better treatment.

I thought the Vinum series were all machine-blown?

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:03 am

I thought the Vinum series were all machine-blown?

They are as far as im aware

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:42 am

Vinum are definitely machine made.

In Sydney, you don't want to be touching the bowl - as in the "O" series. I quite like using them though, but only for novelty value really. I can't imagine myself contemplating/analysing a wine over an evening in such a glass.

May I ask for some ingenuity please... Can anyone think of a purpose for Riedel Vinum Shiraz and Chinti bowls that have their stems broken off? There must be something. I was thinking about making my own set of "O" series type Riedel but I am not sure if that is possible or what the right equipment to grind down the remaining stems would be. I would obviously call them my "Oh" series.

Adair

PaulV · Post by **PaulV** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:51 am

While we are talking about Riedels I'm once again on the lookout for some Riedel look-a-like white wine glasses.

Had a couple of cartons of the Esse white wine glass bought from Grace Bros eons ago but am now down to my last 2 glasses. :cry:

Any good buys in Sydney at the moment?

Cheers

Paul

GRB · Post by **GRB** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:09 am

Hi Paul,

www.petersofkensington.com.au have a good range have a look under Luigi Bormioli. I have some of the Accademia Del Vino Bordeaux which are very nice glasses and a LOT cheaper than Reidels. I also have a bunch of Alex Liddy glasses that I picked up in Mona Vale but they don't list the ones I have on their site. They were about $6 a stem and great for everyday use.

Glen

Elvispga · Post by **Elvispga** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:58 am

rooview wrote:Wash with hot water under tap (use your fingers or a dedicated glass-only dishbrush peraps to remove any marks/stains).

Stand upside down on cloth on sink while rest of glasses are cleaned.

Boil water rapidly in saucepan.

Steam partially dried glass over saucepan for a few seconds, use lint-free linen cloths (one in each hand) to polish. I take one towel and lay it flat on my right hand, put my pinky and fourth finger on one side of the stem and the others on the otherside with the whole hand firmly grasping ball. Using the other hand place the othe towel in the ball and with the excess poking out the top grab that with the same hand so the two towels meet. Twist a few times for a sparkling clean and single pass. Feel free to polish the base up a little too if you wish. Firm but light pressure is required. Don't overstuff or force or you'll end up with broken bits.

Sounds easy and takes less than a minute to steam and polish a glass!

I broke over a dozen in the first year I had the Vinum series - but haven't broke a stem for the last two years since. Linen towels are essential (cotton leaves a slight odour and haze on the glasses).

Thanks Rooview. I'll have to dirty up some glasses. He he he. hic!

Cheers
Elvis

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:20 pm

Adair wrote:In Sydney, you don't want to be touching the bowl - as in the "O" series. I quite like using them though, but only for novelty value really. I can't imagine myself contemplating/analysing a wine over an evening in such a glass.

May I ask for some ingenuity please... Can anyone think of a purpose for Riedel Vinum Shiraz and Chinti bowls that have their stems broken off? There must be something. I was thinking about making my own set of "O" series type Riedel but I am not sure if that is possible or what the right equipment to grind down the remaining stems would be. I would obviously call them my "Oh" series.

Adair

I've seen some O series lookalikes with a square-ish tumbler style base of solid glass/crystal that then tapers into a thin, Vinum style bowl - you hold the glass down on the solid bit and that avoids heat and finger marks on the bowl. Not sure who makes them, though, but they might be worth hunting down.

The Vinum series bowl is pointy... if you were to grind down the broken stem you'd need to mount the glass in something - perhaps some kind of plaster or coloured glass or something. Or, you could make a frame for each glass from discarded sparkling wine wires

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:34 pm

Wash with hot water under tap (use your fingers or a dedicated glass-only dishbrush peraps to remove any marks/stains).

Stand upside down on cloth on sink while rest of glasses are cleaned.

Boil water rapidly in saucepan.

Steam partially dried glass over saucepan for a few seconds, use lint-free linen cloths (one in each hand) to polish. I take one towel and lay it flat on my right hand, put my pinky and fourth finger on one side of the stem and the others on the otherside with the whole hand firmly grasping ball. Using the other hand place the othe towel in the ball and with the excess poking out the top grab that with the same hand so the two towels meet. Twist a few times for a sparkling clean and single pass. Feel free to polish the base up a little too if you wish. Firm but light pressure is required. Don't overstuff or force or you'll end up with broken bits.

Sounds easy and takes less than a minute to steam and polish a glass!

shaking my head in disbelief :shock:

- wine wankerism extends to cleaning up afterwards!!! load them in the dishwasher, carefully close the drawer, switch it on and go to bed. In the morning put them away. - how hard is that. u n b e l i e v a b l e

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Wow those Reidel Glasses Break easily !

Wow those Reidel Glasses Break easily !

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