Q: Are Riedel's glass creations out of control?

Are there too many Riedel glasses? Maybe, but in this case, it looks as if the Oregon Pinot producers wanted another one. Riedel is just supplying what the market asked for. There's nothing wrong with that. It looks like a good promotion for Oregon Pinot Noir too. I certainly don't own every shape, but I buy the ones that suit my favorite wines and I do like the constant reevaluation and evolution of the shapes. BUT, that said, you're not likely to find Riedel WATER GLASSES at my house!


Prost!
Bill

Bill, I hope you are kidding... WATER GLASSES??? Holy cow! That is uncalled for. But, maybe I am just an regular water drinking and not a serious drinker. Any WATER Enthusiasts out there?

Ciao,
Joe A.

Joe, they do indeed make a water glass. Clearly a luxury item. They DO NOT make your tap water taste like french vanilla iced cream.


Prost!
Bill

I think it’s just a big gimmick. Isn’t it true that at most wine judging and competitions an ISO standard wine tasting glass is used? One would think a glass with similar dimensions would make a good every-day wine glass. Basically when looking for stemware I look for a bowl that is approximately 4 inches tall, 2 ½ inches at its widest diameter, and 2 inches across the rim.

Salute

In support of the big gimmick idea, which I am generally inclined to subscribe to, here's a pic of a wine tasting at Ch. d'Yquem. Notice that the glasses are nothing special just all the same.

I contact Riedel about leaded glass. This was their response. Sorry I am not sure what products they are talking about.


Message 3 of 9
From: "Riedel Austria / Tina Bachl" <T>
To: <thubten>
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:22:09 +0100
Subject: AW: Lead free cyrstal

Nachricht
Hello Rod,

we have leadfree glasses in our sortiment.

Pls. find the series listed below:

- Wine

- Riedel “O”

- Restaurant

Are there too many Riedel glasses? Maybe, but in this case, it looks as if the Oregon Pinot producers wanted another one. Riedel is just supplying what the market asked for. There's nothing wrong with that.

The ISO glass are used in tastings not because they show the wines to best advantage but because they are a standardized size and shape and don't do a bad job of giving some impression of the wine. However, if you taste an ISO side by side with a larger Riedel glass, the chances are very good that you'll get a lot more out of the Riedel glass. That is not to say, though, that one should buy into the marketing hype of Georg Riedel et al. The idea that there can be a specific shape that best suits each variety I find laughable, actually.

Damn, you guys summarized my position!

Now if they could just figure out how to make lead free crystal then they might be going somewhere useful.

Unsure re what Riedel stems are lead-free, but the Schott Zweisel Tritan use titantium instead of lead. Though if you're worried for health reasons, I think the possible leaching from wine glasses in normal use is pretty minimal. There is a real clear danger however in the old idea of lead crystal decanters that hold spirits - both the constant contact and the higher alcohol are factors increasing leaching.

As to the water glasses, my guess is that they are provided for those that want to match their water glasses to their wine service, I've never heard Riedel claim they made the water taste better.

Unsure re what Riedel stems are lead-free

I think it's the cheaper end of the spectrum . . wine series, overture series, restaurant series, and stemless "O" series that are lead-free, while the sommeliers, vinum, vinum extreme, and grape use leaded crystal.

I've never heard Riedel claim they made the water taste better.

No, but they really bring that aroma of toothpaste to the front!

Are there too many Riedel glasses? Maybe, but in this case, it looks as if the Oregon Pinot producers wanted another one. Riedel is just supplying what the market asked for. There's nothing wrong with that. It looks like a good promotion for Oregon Pinot Noir too. I certainly don't own every shape, but I buy the ones that suit my favorite wines and I do like the constant reevaluation and evolution of the shapes. BUT, that said, you're not likely to find Riedel WATER GLASSES at my house!


Prost!
Bill

Bill, I hope you are kidding... WATER GLASSES??? Holy cow! That is uncalled for. But, maybe I am just an regular water drinking and not a serious drinker. Any WATER Enthusiasts out there?

Ciao,
Joe A.

See one of my earlier posts.

rwj

I'm a devoted user of the water glass, it just looks nice on the table next to the other stems, the way silverware matches.

They're expensive at full price, but I got them on closeout for $2.50 each.

Walt

I'm a devoted user of the water glass, it just looks nice on the table next to the other stems, the way silverware matches.

They're expensive at full price, but I got them on closeout for $2.50 each.

Walt

All joking aside, this was my thought on why they produced a water glass. I'm sure they look good with the stemware.

rwj

p.s. Riedel's water glass is one of the best beer glasses I can think of.