Glassware

[swirler]

Erm. That's what I said.

[odyssey]

Maybe it's just subliminal, but before I ever tried them another forumite told me that he reckoned the Riedel Montrachets were poor glasses for white burgundy, and I've found the same thing since trying them... Could be just the power of suggestion! Definitely worth doing a side by side comparison some day.

But for a general all rounder definitely the Zalto universals are a favorite for me, plus they feel so damn good to hold... once you use them everything else feels like a club.

[Diddy]

If you had to buy one of either the Zalto Universal or Zalto Bordeaux, which way would you recommend going?

If it helps, the cellar is Aussie shiraz dominant.

[Polymer]

Maybe it's just subliminal, but before I ever tried them another forumite told me that he reckoned the Riedel Montrachets were poor glasses for white burgundy, and I've found the same thing since trying them... Could be just the power of suggestion! Definitely worth doing a side by side comparison some day.

I agree...width to height of these are not good...Schott Zwiesel Enoteca Burgs are similar in that they're just slightly too of an opening for the height and the nose suffers..

[shauno]

Anyone tried the Stolzle Experience? I'm looking at a cheap(er) set of red & white under $100/6 - the Schott Zwiesel Vina range seem to have a few recommendations.

I've got 6 riedel left after a few breakages...

[Polymer]

Get the Schott Zwiesels...I like them better than Riedels...Solid, tough but pretty light....Probably be what I'd be using now if not for Zaltos...

[shauno]

Thanks, any tips on 2 of their range that'll cover most reds & some white/fizz?

[Polymer]

You can find the Vina Burgundy for a pretty good price and they're smaller so that might suit what you're looking for..but personally I'd just go with the slightly bigger Vina Bordeaux if I was only going one...It is really personal preference.

You can nearly get a 6 pack of each for 100 if you look..

[pc79]

Victoria's basement is flogging the Schott Zwiezel vina burgundies/champagne/red glasses for 39/6

[daver6]

If you had to buy one of either the Zalto Universal or Zalto Bordeaux, which way would you recommend going?

If it helps, the cellar is Aussie shiraz dominant.

I've not tired the Zalto Bordeaux, but I tend to find the Universals are not the best option for bigger reds.

[Polymer]

Zaltos, in general, are probably not good for big high alcoholic reds....they tend to accentuate the alcohol on the nose...

[Raymo]

Maybe it's just subliminal, but before I ever tried them another forumite told me that he reckoned the Riedel Montrachets were poor glasses for white burgundy, and I've found the same thing since trying them... Could be just the power of suggestion! Definitely worth doing a side by side comparison some day.

But for a general all rounder definitely the Zalto universals are a favorite for me, plus they feel so damn good to hold... once you use them everything else feels like a club.

I have to disagree regarding the Riedel Montrachet. For my money, after literally decades of trying various brands and types of glassware I recently discovered the Vinum Extreme chardonnay glass (by virtue of a local winestore closing-down firesale just before Christmas). My first use of this wineglass was a revelation. The wine had never tasted better. I followed up just last week with a 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series chardonnay and, again, the wine had never shown (or tasted) better.

This, for me, is now the benchmark wineglass shape and capacity for oaked chardonnays (including white burgundies). I promptly ordered more this week and, as far as I can deduce from my research, the shape is virtually identical and shared amongst the Riedel Montrachet/Riedel Vitis/Riedel Vinum Extreme and Riedel Heart-to-Heart chardonnay glassware, albeit with subtle minor design differences (usually where the stem and bowl connect, or don't – as in the drawn-glass style of the Vitis).

[mjs]

At the MBSC tasting on Mon we had Zalto burgundy, Riedel Vinum Pinot, Riedel Veritas Old World Pinot, and a couple of other Pinot glass types, and had NO discussion about the relative benefits of each glass type. We just enjoyed the wine. Who would have thought??

[swirler]

I have to disagree regarding the Riedel Montrachet. For my money, after literally decades of trying various brands and types of glassware I recently discovered the Vinum Extreme chardonnay glass (by virtue of a local winestore closing-down firesale just before Christmas). My first use of this wineglass was a revelation. The wine had never tasted better. I followed up just last week with a 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series chardonnay and, again, the wine had never shown (or tasted) better.

This, for me, is now the benchmark wineglass shape and capacity for oaked chardonnays (including white burgundies). I promptly ordered more this week and, as far as I can deduce from my research, the shape is virtually identical and shared amongst the Riedel Montrachet/Riedel Vitis/Riedel Vinum Extreme and Riedel Heart-to-Heart chardonnay glassware, albeit with subtle minor design differences (usually where the stem and bowl connect, or don't – as in the drawn-glass style of the Vitis).

Raymo,

I'm glad someone agrees with me as I found the Montrachet was brilliant with chardonnay. Day and night better than 'pinot' glasses. Maybe it's that chardonnay aromas are just too delicate to reach the top of a taller glass and the shorter glass allowed you to get your nose right into the glass. So close, in fact, that you can almost snort the white wine

[Benchmark]

At the MBSC tasting on Mon we had Zalto burgundy, Riedel Vinum Pinot, Riedel Veritas Old World Pinot, and a couple of other Pinot glass types, and had NO discussion about the relative benefits of each glass type. We just enjoyed the wine. Who would have thought??

How about that!

[AaronL]

Just to throw spanner in the works, the Riedel Vinum Montrachets are different to the Riedel Vinum Extreme Oaked Chardonnay glass

I have the Vinum Extreme Oaked Chardonnay glasses and they feel very clunky compared to the Gabriel Glas Gold Editions. The Riedels are good (I picked up 4 for $10) but have limited use.

[Chris H]

BTW, if anyone in Melbourne wants Zalto Bordeaux glasses, I have two brand new ones still wrapped in their individual boxes. Will sell for $20 each. I am in Burwood.

PM me if interested and we can arrange to meet or you can pick them up.

Addendum - glasses now spoken for.

[Raymo]

Just to throw spanner in the works, the Riedel Vinum Montrachets are different to the Riedel Vinum Extreme Oaked Chardonnay glass

I have the Vinum Extreme Oaked Chardonnay glasses and they feel very clunky compared to the Gabriel Glas Gold Editions. The Riedels are good (I picked up 4 for $10) but have limited use.

Indeed – good point Aaron (or should I say 'spanner well thrown!'): Riedel Vinum Montrachet and Riedel Vitis Montrachet are quite different. It's the Vitis/Extreme/Heart-to-Heart shape that I favour.

As for being clunky – yeah, awkward even, on first handling, I'd go so far as to say. But all that is quickly forgotten when it works its magic with the wine.

[AaronL]

Update: I took the vinum extreme glasses with me to a restaurant this evening, and on the way home, managed to smash one. Grr I'm such an idiot

[mjs]

Commiserations, occupational hazard I'm afraid.

I've had an interest in using appropriate and (generally) larger wine glasses for at least 30 yrs, perhaps ever since dining at Ian Hewitson's restaurant "Fleurie" in the mid 80's ( now there was a BYO restaurant!). Even taking the utmost care, I hate to think how many glasses have been broken since then.

The emergence of more expensive varietal specific glasses in the last ten years or so has only made it worse

[Raymo]

Update: I took the vinum extreme glasses with me to a restaurant this evening, and on the way home, managed to smash one. Grr I'm such an idiot

Hop onto the Riedel site now. They've been running a sale throughout January which may still be on. You might be able to pick up replacements cheaper than usual.

[shauno]

Thanks for the tips guys, checked out the sale Schott Zweisel stems @ Victoria's basement.

The burgundy was surprisingly small (404ml), might be good for white though.
The claret burgundy was a fat bowl (730ml), good size but I'm not a fan of the shape.

Surprisingly the "red wine / water" glass (504ml) seemed like the best compromise, actually seems like a slightly larger burgundy - so grabbed a set of these.

The only other glasses were a 'sparkling' flute & a bigger/wider champagne that was close to the riedel veritas champagne - grabbed a set of the latter.

I'll give the reds a try tonight, hopefully a good daily glass for regular use

[shauno]

Yup, the Schott Zwiesel Red/Water glass is nice - not quite as good as my old Riedel's, but very good for a fifth of the price!

Nice and thin rim, good shape, narrow stem, and hopefully quite durable. Only downside is a slight seam between the stem & bowl.

[Diddy]

Visited a wonderful Mornington Peninsula cellar door (Myrtaceae) and they offered their tastings using these special Riedel glasses that you roll on it side on the benchtop, creating a layer of wine around the inside of the glass before tasting. I must say it did a surprising job of expressing the wine despite the small bowl.

[Phil H]

Just purchased my my first Universal Zaltos....
I have completed in the Reidel master classes and understand what a difference glasses can make. I have tried and was using some premium everyday glasses such as the S&P cuvée range and the Luigee Bormellie Supremo (uncertain of spelling) and were quit happy with them.
However trying a Burgundy (Pinot from my discovery dozen) - with the same wine in two glasses - The Zaltos exceed all expectations. The wine in the Zaltos appears so more elegant and refined. (Maybe because the Zaltos feel like eggshells - hopefully they are stronger than they appear)
I have finally seen the light - Just working on my Burgundy conversion.

[Diq]

Visited a wonderful Mornington Peninsula cellar door (Myrtaceae) and they offered their tastings using these special Riedel glasses that you roll on it side on the benchtop, creating a layer of wine around the inside of the glass before tasting. I must say it did a surprising job of expressing the wine despite the small bowl.

Similar to these? http://www.wineware.co.uk/content/images/thumbs/0016357_zalto-denk-art-gravitas-omega-wine-glass.jpeg

They look amazing but I doubt I would trust myself with them in the house let alone a guest or my clumsy better half. I'd have to change the carpets to a burgundy red.

[Polymer]

Just purchased my my first Universal Zaltos....
I have completed in the Reidel master classes and understand what a difference glasses can make. I have tried and was using some premium everyday glasses such as the S&P cuvée range and the Luigee Bormellie Supremo (uncertain of spelling) and were quit happy with them.
However trying a Burgundy (Pinot from my discovery dozen) - with the same wine in two glasses - The Zaltos exceed all expectations. The wine in the Zaltos appears so more elegant and refined. (Maybe because the Zaltos feel like eggshells - hopefully they are stronger than they appear)
I have finally seen the light - Just working on my Burgundy conversion.

IMO, Zalto Universals perform well for almost everything...they're not the best at everything but put up against another glass and many many different wines, I think they'll average out to be better or close to..

But they're just nice to use..forgetting about performance of the wine out of a Zalto..the glasses feel really nice to use. Your regular glasses start feeling like clumsy club like things.....

I will say though, that I find they over accentuate alcohol...so if you like bigger reds they'll put off a bit more heat on the nose (I think some others have found this as well). I don't think it is just the alcohol but the nose tends to be a bit more emphasized than other glasses which can be a good or a bad thing....

Zaltos are relatively easy to break at the stem...but they can deal with a fair few number of knocks and bumps...they're quite flexible..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkv4_mUv-vs

So they're relatively strong when it comes to that..but this guy broke his at the stem which is a weak point for sure.

Use the dishwasher to wash them if you can..if not don't hold it by the stem when handwashing and don't add a ton of water...and clear out everything nearby..

[swirler]

If you are really rich you could consider this sparkling wine glass:

http://moet-hennessy-collection.com.au/accessories/

[Cloth Ears]

If you are really rich you could consider this sparkling wine glass:

http://moet-hennessy-collection.com.au/accessories/

Unsure which one you refer to, but I'm hankering for that Ardbeg tumbler. Any peaty malt will taste peatier in that glass, I am sure!

[swirler]

The top one.