While I am always on the quest for the best wine glass… notice I didn’t say I am seeking a perfect wine glass.
I don’t believe in perfection in general and that extends to my wine glass as well.
Left to right: Riedel Sommelier, Holmegaard, Schott Zwiesel, Crate & Barrel Red Wine Glass and Sparkling Wine Glass
Not so long ago there were fewer options in the US and today there are many more choices than ever before. Simply the interest in wine has been matched by all major and even minor producers exporting their glasses to the US.
I am particular because why serve an outstanding wine in a mediocre or subpar wine glasses? I have been to places where an amazing wine is served in a less than desirable glass that had been made in a glass factory long long ago. Just like a well crafted wine might cost more than a mass produced one the same holds true for a well crafted wine glass.
I have noted in my videos that I have been to fantastic restaurants in San Francisco to be disappointingly served in a glass that might have cost a dollar. In that same video I have noted that I have been to many a small towns in Europe and guess what–the wine glasses were outstanding…. stellar. I always feel super special where the wine glass programme is as strong as the wine list itself.
I think of my trips to Champagne; my last visit to the region I was eating at a small and amazing roadside bistro and there were Zalto wine glasses there. Not uncommon in Champagne. I have experienced this in Italy as well showcasing fantastic wine glasses in the dining setting. I think of what most expect San Francisco to be ultra sophisticated place and I alway point out New York is the US’s most sophisticated city–luxuriant wine lists and wine glasses. I would like to bring my own wine glass when I go to a nice restaurant that doesn’t have a nice wine glass programme in San Francisco. Now, of course, and as expected restaurants like Gary Danko, Boulevard, Jardinière do have a nice wine glass programme but there are many other restaurants who don’t.
Your Home’s Wine Glass Programme
I don’t expect everyone to be as particular as I am about a fantastic wine glass or even as experimental as I am. First you don’t need a wine glass in every silhouette the wine glass maker might make. Here is a very short list of glasses for your home:
- Sparkling wine glass – think tulip versus flute
- White wine glass
- Red wine glass
- Bordeaux
- Burgundy
- Dessert wine glass
While I am not going to recommend a specific brand because you should find a style that you like. I would also try to steer not just towards look but functionality. A red wine glass is my litmus test, as example, you should be easy to swirl the wine in glass where the contents are not going to spill out easily AND very importantly can handle the swirling action; once you stop swirling and you let go–does the wine glass wobble? Wobbling is a bad thing–in my opinion this is a great way for glass to tip on the chance of a very active swirler. It is not just about the possibility of tipping but how does the wine glass with a decent pour feel like? Does it feel like there is no centre of gravity? If that is the case of the feel of that experience will be noticeable to you and guests.
I drink daily from my Schott Zwiesel Pure Collection wine glasses; they have been quite dependable, very modern design but serve their function well. These glasses are easy to find and I look for best price, potential airline miles (via airline shopping portals) and best delivery option.
I do have one restaurant Riedel Bordeaux glass that is quite nice–I purchased at Silverado Winery for no more than $20.00 while it may look like the Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux glass they are not the same. The Riedel Sommelier is boldly different and unapologetic; highly usable and completely elegant. The Riedel Sommelier are not for the faint of heart at over $100 per glass. I did ping the restaurant and the sommelier glass and they sing differently–the restaurant stem has a nice reverberation but not like the stunningly near operatic quality of the Sommelier. I do use my Sommelier but infrequently–as a treat to myself. I also don’t want to never use the glass. I am ultra careful when washing and wash the base ever so gently.
I had a few Spiegelau stems and they were nice glassware from a home and decor store that I no longer purchase from but from $7-8 dollars a stem a good value. If I can find them again I will try purchasing again.
I love Holmegaard and swear by this Danish wine glass producer; elegant and beautiful and about $24-$28 a stem. Superb vessel and one that I use frequently and found the deliver of wine to palate to be such a fine instrument. Holmegaard are not plentiful in the marketplace but distinctive enough to be sought after.
I love Zalto wine glasses–and I would say is my favourite brand right now. Expensive $60 a stem but completely elegant, so superbly designed–almost stretch a limit but not over the top in terms of design. Completely delicate–handle with absolute care.
I came to Zalto because their sparkling wine glass – the tulip shape is the reigning star of sparkling wine glasses. While there are others who produce a tulip Zalto’s are the best. When I have a glass of sparkling wine and I am near the glass I know it is a Zalto and no other brand. I feel ultra special when I use this brand. I do enjoy sparkling wine frequently I am careful to not over use them. I cry when one breaks…. so I was seeking what I call and every day tulip wine glass. I did find one from Crate & Barrel called Calla and it was only $8.95. The glasses are made in Slovakia and Crate & Barrel does not publish who manufactured these glass I am guessing they are from the producer RONA. The glass is so well designed and absolutely stunningly beautiful it can be my every day sparkling wine glass. I did Crate & Barrel’s Bordeaux wine glass and the same design for a red wine is not as stable in terms of swirling–the centre of gravity is in question. While beautiful in design and for me less practice for an every day red wine glass. Attractive price point but the usage I’ll get will be minimal. Crate & Barrel does such an amazing job in deliver of wine glass–so securely wrapped–the best I have seen of any US retailer.
I have and will continue to be experimental in wine glass purchasing I will still seek excellence and I advocate every do the same. And I have not tried every wine glass at this point–many more try.
Your wine will thank you when you engage in smart and well made wine glasses.
Santé,
James
James the Wine Guy
Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.
© 2018 James Melendez / James the Wine Guy— All Rights Reserved – for my original Content, drawings, art work, logo, brand name, rating, rating graphic and award and designs of James the Wine Guy. James the Wine Guy is also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.
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Santé,
James
James the Wine Guy
Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.
© 2018 James Melendez / James the Wine Guy— All Rights Reserved – for my original Content, drawings, art work, logo, brand name, rating, rating graphic and award and designs of James the Wine Guy. James the Wine Guy is also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.
All brand copyrights are property of the producer.
Follow, subscribe, like, browse:
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