Northern Rhone Syrah stemware

[Al_Osterheld]

Riedel Old World Syrah (also my go-to glass for Southern Rhone, Rioja, and nebbiolos and sangiovese-dominant wines).

https://img.riedel.com/ct/w_1248,q_100,hash_aabb8d/ct-product-images-riedel-prod.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/544926541/1/544926541_wf-CWRq21HB.jpg

That shape looks a lot like the Riedel Sommelier Hermitage glass, one of the more gorgeous Riedel wine stems (IMO). I own one (from a Riedel seminar at Hospice du Rhone) but rarely use it because it seems scary fragile.

These days I tend to use a Burg glass for Pinot, Nebbiolo, Grenache and the like, and Zalto Universal for Cab, Syrah, GSM, and other bigger reds.

-Al

[Al_Osterheld]

Zalto Universal for me for almost everything nowadays, I just love this glass. Or rather I love the first batch of this glass that I bought - one broke so I just replaced it with a new one that seems considerably heavier than the old ones. I wonder if this has happened to others here.

I bought some more because I liked them. A couple of my second batch seem thinner. Not sure whether they have changed over time (and maybe changed back), or it’s variability.

-Al

[John_Preston]

Riedel Old World Syrah (also my go-to glass for Southern Rhone, Rioja, and nebbiolos and sangiovese-dominant wines).

https://img.riedel.com/ct/w_1248,q_100,hash_aabb8d/ct-product-images-riedel-prod.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/544926541/1/544926541_wf-CWRq21HB.jpg

That shape looks a lot like the Riedel Sommelier Hermitage glass, one of the more gorgeous Riedel wine stems (IMO). I own one (from a Riedel seminar at Hospice du Rhone) but rarely use it because it seems scary fragile.

These days I tend to use a Burg glass for Pinot, Nebbiolo, Grenache and the like, and Zalto Universal for Cab, Syrah, GSM, and other bigger reds.

-Al

I broke two of the Riedel Somm Hermitage just looking at them ; ) I now just use Zalto (Universal or Bordeaux), Grassl (1855) or GGG for N. Rhone and Syrah.

Cheers,
JP

[AndyK]

Zalto Bordeaux is my favorite glass for Northern Rhone (and many other varieties…)

[Mark_E]

I prefer Syrah out of my Gabriel Glas StandArts. I’ve tested multiple Syrahs from Cali and N. Rhone out of Zalto Bdx/Burg vs. the Gabriel Glas and every single bottle the Gabriel Glas has spanked the Zaltos in my opinion. This is the only varietal for which I’ve seen such one-sided results.

[John_Glas]

This is why people who are not serious about wine think we are crazy. Most would pull out their thick rimmed stems and drink away.

[Mike_Evans]

I use Gabriel Glas Golds for pretty much everything despite having a number of other options including a full set of Grassls.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

I used to use Vinum Syrah stems for Syrah and also for Cabernet. Predictably, Georg Riedel claims the Bordeaux glass is a horrible choice for Syrah, I think either is fine. I think Syrah is a bit much for a Burgundy glass with the large bowl.

-Al

This is pretty close to my opinion, too.

I think the Riedel Vinum Bordeaux glass is bad for Syrah. I also think it’s bad for Bordeaux. However, I think the Riedel Ouverture red is excellent for Syrah – I would love to find a handblown glass with this shape. In addition to the Riedel Ouverture red, I like the Grassl 1855 for Syrah.

Finally, I 100% agree that a Burgundy bowl doesn’t work with Syrah — too much alc. presence on the Nose for my preferences.

What glass do you like for Bordeaux? I’ve got a bunch of Riedel vinum bdx glass and I’d like to compare it with something else. Gracias.

Historically, it’s been the Riedel Ouverture red. For the past year I’ve primarily been using the Grassl 1855. And now I’m going to give the Glassvin Prestige a shot.