When we received our Gabriel-Glas wine glass (it’s awesome, by the way!), someone told me that the glass was too heavy to be considered “high quality.”
This comment triggered my curiosity about what traits make glassware “high-quality.” In particular, I’ve always wondered about two brands that I've often seen associated with “high quality” - Riedel and Zalto. Riedel, I’ve heard about for some time, and Zalto is one brand that I’ve been seeing more recently at high-end restaurants.
I did not realize that there would be so many factors, beyond price point and weight, that affect the “quality” perception and stemware purchasing decision. Some factors that I was surprised by: the specific wine (and vintage) that’s going into the glass, shape of the “bowl” and how that affects the aromas, “breakability,” height of the glass and the corresponding aesthetic appeal (i.e. “stumpiness”), circumference of the stem, thickness of the glass’s rim, the “sparkliness,” and so forth.
In summary, both Riedel and Zalto reviews emphasized their “lightness” (which contrasted with the “sturdy” Gabriel Glas glass we are using) and appeared to be comparable with each other. Based on online reviews, Riedel was more versatile than Zalto. Zalto is even thinner and lighter than Riedel, but comes with the catch of being much more "breakable.”
Pasted below are some Riedel/Zalto review highlights, in the event you ever find yourself in the market for expensive, high-end stemware.
Riedel Vinum: (2 for $49 on amazon)
- “Stem’s ideal weight, balance, and most important, the rounded shape of the bowl...yields a broader spectrum of fruit aromas and suppresses the undesirable notes” (Yoon Ha, Sommelier of Benu)
- “More expensive than our main pick, but it’s an elegant, thinner all-purpose glass…The elongated tulip-shaped bowl did an excellent job enhancing the aromas fo both red and white wines. Though this non-leaded crystal glass (Fortified with lead oxide alternatives to make it more sparkly) appears delicate, its surprisingly durable and dishwasher safe….Laser-cut rim provides a thin edge” (Wirecutter)
Zalto Denk’Art Universal: (1 for $62 on amazon)
- "Zalto is an extremely light glass, with an extremely delicate stem…Wine glass from Austria, known to be “Graceful and well-balanced.” When picking it up, the glass feels so light and the stem is so delicate.”
- “The glasses really bring out the best in wine… particularly love them for Champagne. You can really pick up all those complex aromas from Champagne without losing the bubbles!”
- “Both red and white wines showcased unbelievably well in this glass….sparks brilliantly under the light, and its delicate stem is pulled the thinnest out of all the glasses we tested…ideal for special occasions or when enjoying your favorite vintage."
Sources:
