Buy Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru, Single StemRiedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru, Single Stem Product Description:
- Glass design enhances taste of red wines such as Red Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Handmade, mouth-blown full lead crystal
- Large bowl allows wine to breathe, emphasizes depth in contemporary wines
- Weighs 14 ounces; holds 30-3/8 ounces
- 10-5/8 inches tall; 4 inches wide
Product Description
This glass, first created in 1959, is not a design gimmick but a precision instrument, developed to highlight the unique characteristics of the great wines of Bordeaux.The large bowl (capacity 30 oz) brings out the full depth of contemporary wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.Modern vinification techniques enable wine-makers to concentrate the fruit to such an extent that young wines may seem one-dimensional, tannic and over-oaked if served in smaller glasses. The Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru gives breathing space to both young and more mature wines, unpacking the various layers of bouquet and delivering a full spectrum of aromas. On the palate, the texture of the wine ??? soft, silky, velvety ??? is intensified and the finish prolonged, gently blending acidity with supple, sweet tannins. This is a glass that showcases these majestically structured red wines in all their complexity and finesse. The simple yet beautiful glass is mouth-blown and made in Austria and executed in over 24% lead crystal. For safe transporting, this individual stem arrives in its own shipping container with reinforced ends.Recommended for: Bordeaux (red), Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Domina, Fronsac, Graves rouge, Listrac, Merlot, M??doc, Margaux, Moulis, Pauillac, Pomerol, St. Emilion, St. Est??phe, St. Julien, Sangiovese, Sangiovese-Grosso.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
76 of 76 people found the following review helpful.
Wonderful, but depends on how much you like wine.
By A Customer
I own a modest set (8 different stems) of Sommelier glasses for my own tasting purposes, and believe that they are worth every penny to me, personally. The quality of the Sommelier stems cannot be emphasized enough - even over the Vinum series.
They are, in every way, extremely delicate. Very thin walls, thin stems, and beautiful craftsmanship. As long as you are careful with them, they will bring your fine wines into a completely new light. They will allow you to intimately taste the wine in perfect balance.
But if you are not a serious wine drinker, stick with the Vinum series. The Vinum series is more than enough. I go to weekly wine tastings at my local wine shop where they serve the wine in cheap ($1 ... maybe) glasses that actually mask the wine's flavors and bring out the harsh qualities while supressing any smells or tastes that would actually allow you to evaluate the wine properly. I started to bring a basic Vinum glass, and the difference was unbelievable. When at home comparing the Vinum and Sommelier series, however, the difference is much less pronounced. If you use a glass that doesn't kill the wine's flavor, that's enough. The added pleasure of the Sommelier series lies mostly in its lighter, more delicate construction. Honestly, I'm not sure how much of it is purely psychological, but it just FEELS good to hold your wine in a delicate work of art.
I say mostly, because these glasses are BIG. Some of my friends have threatened to turn my glasses into fish bowls. This added size pulls apart the wine, letting you move your nose around in and above the glass to discover everything that the Vinum series might compress into a smaller space.
Overall, buying a few Sommelier stems would do your finer wines a favor, but for everyday drinking, or for those who aren't complete yuppies like myself, the Vinum Series is just fine.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.Great for medium-big reds!
By Ashley
Riedel crystal wine glasses are some of the best you can buy. They are specially designed for drinking wine... Riedel makes many different shapes of crystal glasses for different wine vareitals. If you only buy one type of high-end glass for your red wine, however, this one is a great choice. As part of the Sommelier line, it is oversized, so it really opens up the wine for a fuller nose and body. Not meant for whites, or weak, light wines - use a smaller, tighter glass for that. I use this glass for bordeaux, of course... cabernet, merlot, barolo and occasionally also for pinot noir, sangiovese, a big chianti, or super tuscan. The taste of the wine in this glass is distinctly different compared to other glasses (crystal and glass) that we own and have used.I had ordered this glass to replace one that had broken. Though these glasses are incredibly well made and not 'thin' and 'delicate' as some can be, they are still fragile and should be handled and washed with utmost care, especially given the price you are paying for them! My husband chose to handwash it after imbibing a bit too much, and he broke the stem right off. I do not believe that this problem is one of quality at all, but instead consider this a warning for your handling and care for the glass.At the time I ordered, the price I found on Amazon was the lowest in comparison to find compared to other discounted prices offered. These glasses are expensive, but worth it.I was especially impressed by the shipping. In past experience with private distributors, I have had Riedel glasses break in shipping due to poor padding / packaging. When I received my glasses in this case, they were very well protected and arrived intact.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful.Very Special Glassware
By Great Faulkner's Ghost
If you can afford to splurge on a Riedel Sommelier series glass you will never regret it. You simply can't believe how much difference a great glass can make, even on "everyday" wines. IMHO, the Zinfandel Sommelier glass is a good all around shape for the price; the Bordeaux and Burgundy ballon are bigger and therefore better because they have more internal surface area, but they cost more and there super-size makes them somewhat impractical.Because the crystal is delicate and thin, these clearly are not for the dishwasher and must be handwashed. Be aware also that the Sommelier stems separate from the bowl rather easily if you twist the stem while drying the glass with a towel, which is quite a natural movement. But aside from that issue,which applies to many brands of hand blown crystal these are very special in every way.
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