Not quite Zalto, but a pretty good copy from Home Goods. $15 for 6 is a nice score. Not as light as Zalto, but not heavy and the shape is pretty close and they look good.
They do resemble the Universal; I like it, and the price is right. How fragile are they; have you broke any yet?
Just picked them up today. Trying it out now and like the feel of them (the Sandlands Mataro in the glass doesn’t hurt). Will go back for another 6 pack. Can’t beat the price.
I broke 2 of my Universals the first time out but have been lucky since. Crossing my fingers because I absolutely love them. I will try to source a box of the Naomi’s though; looking forward to comparing the two.
Ah, but how do they compare to the other not-quite-Zaltos, the big Crate and Barrel glasses (which I have come to like quite a bit)?
A link or name of the stemware?
No link - was in Home Goods and picked them up. The name is on the box in the picture.
Box says Crystalite Bohemia from Czech Republic
I picked up the identical set at Home Goods a month or so ago. We’ve been pleased with them. Very attractive, reasonably thin and durable. I usually reach for a larger glass if it’s just me and my wife opening a bottle, but this is a great set to have around for general use.
I don’t mean to sound like a snob, but COME ON MAN!!! This glass is not in the same universe much less the same ballpark. Nice to have a bunch of these around for parties…no doubt, but close to a Zalto…I don’t think so.
A agree with Russ. I have seen these in person.
There is also a glass from Lenox that I have seen at Homegoods and that I have tried at my inlaws that resemble the Zalto burgundy glass.
I have a couple of the “Hip Red Wine” glasses from C&B. These are way smaller. The C&B Zalto knockoffs are comparatively huge. I like them more, really. Although they are the princely sum of $6 vs. $3.
Certainly not claiming the Home Goods glasses are any high-end product. Just an attractive stem to have around that costs $3.
Stems are stems…well, maybe. I have maybe 200 Riedel/Spiegelau? Lots. I have no need or desire to try to replicate the Zalto. I have 9 of those guys (the Universals), and I do love them for inexplicable reasons. They were a gift.
Someone saw me take 3 out of the (Miele) dishwasher today, and they were so surprised that I put them in there.
These are not gods and goddesses. Stems. Wine, folks. And stems. You can only spend it once.
Thank you Merrill!
And once the wine is in your mouth, the delivery system doesn’t matter!
I disagree. The glassware elevates the experience. If it didn’t a Solo plastic cup woukd suffice. Good glassware is a joy. Crappy glassware is well, crappy.
Merrill, spend it once and spend it well.
I thought that too until I tried Zaltos. I’ve long recognized that the glass shape can alter the aromas of a wine, but damned if my wine isn’t also tasting better out of a Zalto Burgundy glass. I don’t think it’s imagined because I did not expect that at all. Plus, aroma is such a huge part of wine enjoyment that I can’t believe anyone here would argue that the type of glass doesn’t have the potential to make a huge difference in the overall experience, compared to other glasses. A recent comparative experiment with 2 different Champagne in several different glasses was a real eye-opener. Out of the Zalto Burgundy, a '96 Taittinger Comtes was remarkably better on the nose than it was out of any of several other glasses. I’m talking about a really pronounced difference, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Again, it was completely unexpected.
Recently I fell in love with the Universal Zalto but also love the bordeaux and burgundy Zaltos. Considering how much they improve the nose and taste of wine to me they are the biggest bargain in wine unless you break a lot of them. It took me a while to get used to how light the Zalto glasses are however now the Riedels feel very heavy. My wife however doesn’t care what wine glass she drinks out of. I guess to each his own.