. . . starts out this interesting article comparing tastings from various wine glasses.

http://slate.msn.com//?id=2069343

Good article. Nothing really new in it, but it does confirm that the wineglass can make a difference.

I never leave home without them.

We've done our own testing and found one stem equal in quality to the Riedel Sommelier Series. It is the Lenox Tuscany Series. They are virtually indistinguishable from the Riedels. The only difference is a slightly wider pedestal on the Lenox. Other than that, they're virtual clones.

Vinum for me. Of course,I sell them.

Board O,
Is there a significant price difference?

At least the lenox it's as top heavy when filled, or on a slightly uneven surface.

The Lenox Tuscany series can be found on sale for $15 apiece. I'm not sure what the Riedel Sommelier Series sells for. Mine were a gift froma group of great people. I'd bet the Riedels are substantially more.

I have just learned I'm getting a bunch of different lenox tuscany stems that I'd registered for my wedding! whooo hooo Those Grand Burgandy stems are very nice.

Just looked and a set of 4 is on sale right now until the 4th for $27 at Macy's! That's a GREAT QPR!!!!

Board-O and RawRed

Most of the Som are retail at approx. 59, and possible loswest cost from a retailer would be in the neighborhood of about $36.

The Vinum rates are prox $20 and lowest prox $13

Is $36 for a Sommelier the special "Friends of flwino" rate?

Rothko

No, price for friends would be $36 plus a bottle of Petrus.

Thanks to Board-O for pointing out the Lenox Tuscany wine glasses.

I just bought a set of 4 Grand Bordeaux for 39.99 + tax at Macy's. (They are currently on sale, regular price is 54.00.)

Nice glass for almost 1/4 the price of the Riedels. They are also much larger than the Vinums.

I have been using the Waterford Marquis as a more inexpensive substitute for my Riedels but after trying the Lenox I am sold.

[ 08-17-2002, 01:25 AM: Message edited by: Gigond Ass ]

The Reidels are great stemware and real works of art. One thing about them that I find to be disturbing is thier ability to spontainiously destruct if not handled with the utmost caution. I have seen this happen to G.A. on two occasions and it was startling to say the least. With the Riedels being really out of my price range, I use Spieglau glasses. Probably not the finest but they work for me.

GA

@ $54 they were over priced. Suggest shopping around more. Who ever selling them was not customer friendly.

There are many places on net, and stores that sell for much less.

flwino,

I agree, $54 is a bit steep but I thing the sale price of $40 was at least reasonable. Especially when you consider I pay $17 each for Riedel Vinums.

I do not own and have not used the Riedel Sommeliers but $36 + shipping is a bit steep compared to the Lenox.

I can tell you that I have had at least two Riedel Vinums self destruct in my hands during simple washing. They are so fragile that I only use them with closest friends and for special occaisions. I just could not justify using $35-$40 dollar Riedels for most company.

Of course, any member of the forums would be and exception.

GA, the Lenox Tuscany Seires is virtually indistinguishable from the Riedel Sommelier Series.

It shouldn't be suprising about the results. I've done this without the Sommelier glasses and come to the same conclusions. I'll be interested in seeing what Red Burgundy is like in the Sommelier Burgundy glasses as I just purchased a pair. They sure are huge. I'll be interested to see about washing them. I've never broken a glass in my hand, only by dropping them.

As for prices, here in SF you can get the Speigelau for $6, the Vinum for about $15 and the Sommelier from $35 to $55 depending upon the glass (the Champagne is $35 and the Bordeaux/Burgundy is $55).

skwid,

I usually have mine break at the stem to bowl area. Of course our water, if you can call it that is full of crud and minerals. I have broken them while drying and polishing them for the most part.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer to use Riedels but economics dictate otherwise.

I use the Riedel Vinum Bordeaux glasses everyday and have had no problem with breakage except when someone drops one or knocks it over. However my next purchase will be the Lennox glasses thanks to Board-O they sound like a great value. I have had four of the Riedel Sommelier Sauternes Glasses break in my hands while washing them they are paper thin and dangerously sharp when they explode. And they do almost explode when they break.

skwid, after trying lots of Burgs from different stems, I think I can say w/ confidence that you will be blown away by the Riedel Burgundy Soms. Revlis just had his first try with these glasses a week ago. He loved them. The aromas you get from them are amazing. They really are that good. You won't be disappointed.

jb

Having tried a multitude of wineglasses, the ones I've settled on as the best for my tastes is the new Riedel Extreme line which have a unique, stylish flair and huge bowls that appeal to me. I especially like the Burgundy/Pinot Noir glass, which lists as $120/set of four and can be found online for $85. They are simply great.

We have both the Vinum and now some Vinum Extreme. We've broken many a Vinum but interestingly have not broken any of the Extreme. The bowls are bigger and seem to be a little thicker. The Vinum Burgundy bowls are like eggshells!

jb, perhaps we'll have to try the 1990 La Tache to "test" them out. I've never used a Sommelier stem, but my girlfriend has the Burgs (at her parties she uses it and everyone else gets the Speigeleau, when they ask why she says "because it is my party" :-) I also gave her a pair of the Vintage Champagne glasses. She tried them out the other day and really likes them.

I just checked the Macys website and found in the Lenox Tuscany Series line the Flutes, Iced Beverage, Tulip White Wine, Pilsner, Grand Bordeaux, Grand Beaujolais, Goblet and Brandy. When checking the selections they had these were the only ones that I could find. I couldn't find a Grand Burgandy. The Grand Burgundy stemware that you guys are referring to wouldn't be the Grand Beaujolais would it? Or does Lenox actually have a Grand Burgundy?

Thanks,
Max