"This Time It Wasn't About the Port" A Port Glass Tasting

[Steve E.]

Riedel hosted a Port glass tasting:

http://malvedos.wordpress.com/2011/02/2 ... -the-port/

[Eric Menchen]

So when can we buy #11? It should be cheaper than the hand blown leaded version.

[Cynthia J]

Hi Eric, The tasting was focussed on trade glasses - most of which have retail equivalents. #11 has literally only just been made for the first time 14 February! I am told it will be available to the trade within just a few weeks - I do not know if it will be available retail at some later date. #3, the Sommelier Vintage Port Glass (the leaded glass, which yes, is pricey, alas) is identical (except glass quality) and is available currently at retail.

FYI all ... I just posted the followup article about Charles's take on it all, and that posting includes the full list of all glasses, which several of you asked about. Enjoy!!
http://malvedos.wordpress.com/2011/03/0 ... g-glasses/

(hope you don't mind my posting that, Roy, only everyone was asking!)
Thanks

[Andy Velebil]

So when can we buy #11? It should be cheaper than the hand blown leaded version.

Amen, the price of the leaded one is what keeps most people from buying them (and being fragile). I would love to have a non-leaded, and I'm sure sturdier, version of it at a cheaper price. Especially since I would prefer to buy 2-3 dozen to have on hand for tastings. Everyone needs to check with their contacts to see if we can purchase the new versions.

[Andy Velebil]

Hi Eric, The tasting was focussed on trade glasses - most of which have retail equivalents. #11 has literally only just been made for the first time 14 February! I am told it will be available to the trade within just a few weeks - I do not know if it will be available retail at some later date. #3, the Sommelier Vintage Port Glass (the leaded glass, which yes, is pricey, alas) is identical (except glass quality) and is available currently at retail.

FYI all ... I just posted the followup article about Charles's take on it all, and that posting includes the full list of all glasses, which several of you asked about. Enjoy!!
http://malvedos.wordpress.com/2011/03/0 ... g-glasses/

(hope you don't mind my posting that, Roy, only everyone was asking!)
Thanks

No worries about posting it. I already did in the Douro wine Forum as it was the inspiration for a question I posted there. need to go read the new article now......

[Cynthia J]

Just a thought... do any of you have connections within hotel, catering or restaurant trade? Might be able to source the Restaurant line Vintage Port Glass that way, put together a joint order or something. I was told it would be available (on trade) in mid-late March.

[Moses Botbol]

Were IDVP's in the tasting group? There has to be some bias due to its distinct shape.

[Cynthia J]

They started with 16 Riedels, reduced those to 8, then reduced those to 4. For the third flight the 4 Riedel were tasted alongside 4 non-riedel, but those glasses were not identified - to my eye (as an observer, not a taster) they were all of roughly similar standard tasting / port shape, more or less. None of those made the cut to the next flight.

[Eric Menchen]

Glass #11: http://riedelop.com/index.php/riedel-ba ... urant.html
Time to ask my restaurant friends to look up a price.

[Glenn E.]

Glass #11: http://riedelop.com/index.php/riedel-ba ... urant.html
Time to ask my restaurant friends to look up a price.

I'd be interested in finding out, too, and would also be interested in splitting an order. I don't need 4 cases of Riedels, but I could use a dozen.

[Andy Velebil]

Glass #11: http://riedelop.com/index.php/riedel-ba ... urant.html
Time to ask my restaurant friends to look up a price.

I'd be interested in finding out, too, and would also be interested in splitting an order. I don't need 4 cases of Riedels, but I could use a dozen.

Would also be curious as to what you find out.

[Roy Hersh]

Currently sitting on 10 dz. glasses, but one can never have enough. Given a worthy price point, I'd take another dozen Riedel Vinums.

[Russ K]

Glass #11: http://riedelop.com/index.php/riedel-ba ... urant.html
Time to ask my restaurant friends to look up a price.

I wanted to get on this thread so I can check back as well, Easy for me to pick some up if we order together Eric!

[Celia C]

May I ask what might be a slightly daft question? I own a couple of Riedel port glasses - bought a decade ago and I believe they were from the vinum range back then - and I found them quite similar in shape and size to regular ISO tasting glasses. Are the expensive Riedels really worth the price difference?



ISO on the left, Riedel vinum port on the right

[Andy Velebil]

Celia,
That's probably like asking; if you have two kids which child do you like better I prefer the Riedel glasses myself, but others like it (ASO, IVDP styled one, etc) are also very good as well. So long as the size and shape of the bowl are similar to these most people probably aren't going to notice the difference.

What I don't like in any wine glass is a rolled edge to it. A cut edge is much easier to drink from.

[Eric Menchen]

What I don't like in any wine glass is a rolled edge to it. A cut edge is much easier to drink from.

And when I did a taste test with three different glasses, I found the rolled edge to have no negative impact on the flavor. A rolled edge is cheaper to make and stronger. For beer (perhaps sparkling wine?), the rolled edge is said to stir up the carbonation in what is touted at least by Sam Adams as a positive.

[Andy Velebil]

What I don't like in any wine glass is a rolled edge to it. A cut edge is much easier to drink from.

And when I did a taste test with three different glasses, I found the rolled edge to have no negative impact on the flavor. A rolled edge is cheaper to make and stronger. For beer (perhaps sparkling wine?), the rolled edge is said to stir up the carbonation in what is touted at least by Sam Adams as a positive.

Good thing he makes beer and not wine.

[Celia C]

What I don't like in any wine glass is a rolled edge to it. A cut edge is much easier to drink from.

And when I did a taste test with three different glasses, I found the rolled edge to have no negative impact on the flavor. A rolled edge is cheaper to make and stronger. For beer (perhaps sparkling wine?), the rolled edge is said to stir up the carbonation in what is touted at least by Sam Adams as a positive.

And it's dishwasherable. Oh hang on, I put all my stemware in the dishwasher anyway. (Don't yell at me, I break fewer glasses that way!) :D

[Celia C]

...A cut edge is much easier to drink from.

I'm sure there's something to that - I have a friend who will only drink tea out of fine china for the same reason.. :)

[Al B.]

I like the thin rim you get on the Riedel (and on fine china teacups). I also like the thinness in general that you get on Riedel or other fine glasses comapred to the thicker glass that I have on my cheap Arc tasting glasses.

Is there a difference? I think so, but it's difficult to separate a psychosomatic difference (because I think there's a difference) from a real difference. So I give in to my mind and use Riedel Vinum glasses all the time when I can.