Grassl Glassware

[Robert.A.Jr]

I used the 1855s this weekend for a wide range of really nice wines. I find the stems remarkably versatile, and they have become my daily stems as well.

[J_Rock]

Jordan,
That’s one hell of a note. Thank you.

To this point:

It’s an absolutely beautiful glass without any noticeable imperfections or seams (I don’t understand how people can make such perfect and precise glasses by hand).

If you’ve never seen a hand (or is it mouth?) blown stem - the process is pretty interesting and likely not what you think it is. Alexander made this video on one of his visits to the factory. He’s in the process of editing a much longer video to give everyone a sense of scope of the artisanship these men and women have. Take a peek: www.grasslglass.com

A glass is blown in a wooden mold that is cooled in water between stems. A 5 person crew produces a glass about every 90 seconds. Early runs of our stems had an approximate 50% failure rate (100% recycled - they just throw them in the furnace). But, even after the 35,000+ they’ve blown, the “A” grade stem rate is probably close to 65% of all produced.

Since the glass is blown in wood, the wood burns. Each glass is therefore slightly different than the others. The video isn’t quite long enough to get a great feel for it, but, the bowl and stem are blown and drawn as one unit with the bowl looking like a balloon on a stick. The base is added with a separate piece of glass.

You will notice the stems going through a fire line after the top is cut and polished. Much like steel, the material must go through a tempering process. That’s what you are seeing. I believe in the coming video Alexander shows this line in more detail as it is longer than you may think.

This is a very cool glimpse of how the glasses are made. They really are works of art. I look forward to the more detailed video.

[Dave_H]

Just communicated with Chris to get 3 replacement Liberte stems that I managed to break over the past year - not sure aluminum stems would have survived what I did to these. Simple and easy.

When you factor in the great BD pricing along with the WB $10 replacement fee for broken stems, this is one of, if not the top value out there.

So happy for your success, Chris, and you have certainly earned it.

Is there really a $10 replacement offer? That sounds mighty generous. How’s that work?

[Dave_McIsaac]

Just communicated with Chris to get 3 replacement Liberte stems that I managed to break over the past year - not sure aluminum stems would have survived what I did to these. Simple and easy.

When you factor in the great BD pricing along with the WB $10 replacement fee for broken stems, this is one of, if not the top value out there.

So happy for your success, Chris, and you have certainly earned it.

Is there really a $10 replacement offer? That sounds mighty generous. How’s that work?

If you are a WBer and break a stem, Chris replaces it for $10 - easy and simple process

I don’t know how long he is honoring that policy

[Brian_S_t_o_t_t_e_r]

Did a side-by-side tonight of the Mineralite in comparison to the Zalto Universal with a 2016 Martin Mullen Riesling Unforgettable Tradition Revival. Chose this riesling as it is quite austere at the moment, and had the bottle open in the fridge the past 3 days. The Mineralite definitely focuses what little nose there is better than the Zalto, and I get more on the mid-palate with the Mineralite.

[S_Williams]

While I’ve used some very nice glasses before at nice restaurants from time to time, our usual wine glasses are various Schott Zwiesel Tritan Pure, which sell for about $10 - $15/glass. While they are clearly not top of the line, we really like them, especially for the reasonable price and considering they seem particularly durable, yet not unreasonably clunky (or so I thought).

Upon receiving the package, I instantly notice that each glass plus the tube and paper packaging it comes in is noticeably lighter than our usual glass. After removing the glass from the packaging (very carefully), I finally experience the insane lightness of the glass. It is SO light that my other glasses now feel very heavy and clunky. The Grassl stems are so thin that it’s like there’s hardly anything between my fingers. Although the glass seems so delicate that I’m initially uneasy about swirling some water in the bowl, the impeccable craftsmanship is obvious. It’s an absolutely beautiful glass without any noticeable imperfections or seams (I don’t understand how people can make such perfect and precise glasses by hand).

Had a very similar experience. You can even find old posts from me here saying that I thought our Spiegelau Hybrid Bordeaux’s were just as good as the Zaltos we rarely used due to fear of breakage, but now, anytime I pick one up, it feels like a Pier One marg glass in comparison to the 1855s.

Can also attest that Chris has been more than generous with the $10 breakage replacement for Berserker buyers. (Not sure if it’s just for Berserker Day buys, or anyone who buys from WB at any time.) Haven’t broken one in about six months now (knock wood) so do think it’s possible they worked a few kinks out of the production. Or, else, I’m now just marginally less clumsy? It’s probably both.

Regardless, totally hassle free replacement, even for me, who arguably deserved some hassling for breaking so many in such a short period.

[Brent_S]

Broke one cleaning it. Should have known better. Anyways, how do I go about getting a new one through the $10 replacement policy ?

[Geoff_F]

Mine arrived today. Thanks Chris! I did a side-by-side comparison between the Grassl Liberte and Cru, and the Zalto Universal and Bordeaux. The test wine was a 2017 Kirkland Gigondas - nothing out of this world, but a solidly made wine.

The Grassl glasses were even lighter than the Zaltos, felt better balanced in the hand, and were more expressive (I got more fruit and less dust on the nose). It seems the lightness and gentle curve toward the rim on the Grassl comes at a cost, as the evenness of manufacturing was much better on the Zaltos. The Grassl glasses seem to be well made but are less uniformly molded than the Zaltos. The tubes will make it convenient to bring these to restaurants and offlines.

I’ll continue to do taste-offs with more wines, but so far the Grassls have a slight edge over the Zaltos for me.

[K_Tran1]

My first time trying the 1855 glass after running it through the dish washer.
The wine is Barde-Haut 2016.

In the Riedel Performance cabernet glass, I’m getting dark fruits, a hint of truffle, maybe plum on the nose. On the palate, it’s balanced, medium tannin, medium plus acidity, a little minerality.
In the 1855 glass, something earthy, stewed mushroom, dark fruits, minerality is coming through on the nose. On the palate, it’s similar to the Riedel, but with the added feeling like I just licked a rock.

For aroma and taste, the 1855 performs a little better. For form factor, lightness, and joy of using, it’s head and shoulder above the Riedel. I will try again this weekend against the Zalto with the 2016 Malescot.

[John_Morris]

It’s an absolutely beautiful glass without any noticeable imperfections or seams (I don’t understand how people can make such perfect and precise glasses by hand).

I think seams come from molding, usually the stem, so fully handblown glasses don’t have them. (Seams are a pet peeve of mine.)

[Bill_Mauger]

Wow - glasses arrived today along with two decanters. I can hardly wait to give them a try! I love the weight and the size of the base. The decanters, i think, will be the steal. They are so elegant and light - the shape will be so easy to pour from. Even though there are 10 inches of fresh snow in the yard a 17 Goodfellow WR Chard with some king crab may be on tap tonight to give the decanter, liberte and cru a whirl.

Thanks for the amazing deal Chris!

[JDavisRoby]

Anyone had a Grassl break in the dishwasher? I’ve used the dishwasher for my tasting glasses often and the Liberte and 1855’s more sparingly. This morning while unloading found an 1855 with a cracked bowl. Bosch, top shelf, resting against the stem shelf, regular cycle. Same program as for the 8-9 months I have had them. I’ve probably washed the 1855’s 8-10 times. Hand wash mostly but every few uses I’ll use the dishwasher. The load wasn’t overly full and I had pre-rinsed all the dishes so no food debris flying around in there. Just seems odd so thought I’d check with others.

BTW, not looking for a deal on a replacement. Chris already did that for me one when our 90 lb Lab’s tail caught one and gave it a ride. Hope this isn’t seen that way. Just curious if I maybe using regular over delicate this many times caused an issue. As my wife tells me I should only use the delicate cycle for these.

[Philip_G]

Anyone had a Grassl break in the dishwasher? I’ve used the dishwasher for my tasting glasses often and the Liberte and 1855’s more sparingly. This morning while unloading found an 1855 with a cracked bowl. Bosch, top shelf, resting against the stem shelf, regular cycle. Same program as for the 8-9 months I have had them. I’ve probably washed the 1855’s 8-10 times. Hand wash mostly but every few uses I’ll use the dishwasher. The load wasn’t overly full and I had pre-rinsed all the dishes so no food debris flying around in there. Just seems odd so thought I’d check with others.

BTW, not looking for a deal on a replacement. Chris already did that for me one when our 90 lb Lab’s tail caught one and gave it a ride. Hope this isn’t seen that way. Just curious if I maybe using regular over delicate this many times caused an issue. As my wife tells me I should only use the delicate cycle for these.

It was recommended somewhere to put the glasses on the lower rack vertically without leaning them like on the top shelf, which is how I’ve been washing mine. I use these to help keep them upright: Amazon.com

I’m always so relieved when I open the dishwasher and none of them are broken!

[Ron_Slye]

I use the dishwasher all the time with them. I do use the bottom rack with a Miele dishwasher. The did just do a riedel Syrah on the top rack the other day and it was fine. Odd if you could not see anything that might have hit it.

I used to hand wash but now only use the dishwasher. I did break a glass taking it out. A riedel not a grassl.

[Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w]

I broke a Grassl in our Bosch. It was in the upper rack, but we also have the utensil third rack that we never use so I’ve taken it out. The rails for the third rack are at the top and 5he upper rack got too high, so I tried to lower it. The stem snapped because of the excess pressure, dumb mistake. I think the Grassls are pretty sturdy given the light weight. I’ve broken them by dropping and carelessly wringing the neck while drying.

[L_e_e_H_olland]

I have washed 2-4 of my liberte glasses almost weekly this year with no problems. Just like you, top rack leaning them on a stem shelf. I did have a Cru break in this same position though. Overall, I am extremely impressed with the glasses and intend to buy more soon.

[AAgrawal]

I’ve never been comfortable with stemware and the dishwasher. I handwash and luckily haven’t broken anything so far. I’ve lost 2 Jancis Robinson glasses recently because guests have been helpful and tried to wash the stemware. If I lose many more of those, I’ll probably replace them with Grassl Liberte or Mineralite. (I only own Cru and 1855 right now.)

[M.Kaplan]

We recently purchased a new Miele dishwasher with the wine stem rack option. Works like a charm. The first time I’ve used a dishwasher to wash fine stems in 40 years.

[T_Altmayer]

I use the 1855 for nearly everything now and I love them

[Gary_Schulte]

We recently purchased a new Miele dishwasher with the wine stem rack option. Works like a charm. The first time I’ve used a dishwasher to wash fine stems in 40 years.

Mark - What do you use as a detergent and wash cycles?