Stemware selection - Schott Zwiesel or Waterford?

WINE TALK
21

Schott Zwiesel all the way. We have the Bordeaux, Burgundy, Riesling and Dessert glasses. We have only broken one in 3 years. We routinely wash them in the dishwasher. No issues.

Byron

22

Crate & Barrel also carry SZ Fortes, but under a different name. They were about $6-7/stem. We have some Waterford Marquis, but never use them. The SZ, we use all the time. The SZ is also a little thinner at the rim than the Marquis, I believe.

23

I stopped by Macy’s today and checked out the Marquis stems. I’m not thrilled with the shape of the bowl but what’s worse - for me - is that they’re top-heavy because the stems are too long, a trait that will become magnified when they have wine in them. Way too easy to knock over with the slightest jostling, so they’re an easy pass from my perspective.

24

Thanks all; this is all very good information.

Bob…I am a little confused - the Marquis Stems aren’t really what I would call long? (Lenox - also carried by Macy’s, are very long, which is why I dismissed them.) Marquis are about the same size as the SZ Forte line; the Full Bodied red wine glass has a stem that is about 3.25 inches as opposed to the SZ full bodied red, which is about 2.75. (Yes, I’m a bit geeky that way and I measured them.)

I actually think the SZ full bodied red glass is a little bit harder to hold with such a small stem- and I have small hands. But since the majority of responses here are from guys I guess that won’t be a concern with male guests. The whites I am comparing are nearly identical. Waterford makes a young white glass with a slightly longer stem, but I wouldn’t call any of them top heavy - they’re very close in size and the whites are very close in shape. Reds are a bit different, with Waterford having a slightly more round bowl.

25

Jennifer, half an inch doesn’t sound like much but it is, and I still think they’re top-heavy but that’s my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. Perhaps I wasn’t looking at the same glass you were. Given that it’s Macy’s that’s entirely possible.

All that said, they’re about the same price and you should buy what makes you happy.

26

True enough about opinions and I certainly respect yours. Now that I think about it, they did come out with a newer stem that is much longer than the older ones, though it is not one I am looking at.

Anyway, thanks to all for your advice and knowledge; I do appreciate it and I am amazed at the number of responses. Very happy I joined!

27

Being a Marquis user I would have to disagree with that assessment. I am the king of knocking over wine glasses and have not had that problem with these. I drink out of them at least 5 times a week. YMMV

28

Ah, he says that to all the girls. [snort.gif]

29

No, I tell 'em THREE inches doesn’t sound like much.

30

I have and use both. At home I use the Marquis. I prefer their rims and balance, but for off lines I haul the SZ around. Not that much different. I bought the Waterfords first and picked up the SZs later to caryy out.

You won’t go wrong with either. [cheers.gif]

31

LOL - it’s my first day here so I will refrain from comments on that.

Brian, I am not 100% decided but I may be joining you as a Marquis user. Despite the definite merits of the SZ and the near-unanimous vote for it, I am looking for something not only functional and suitable to wine, but also stemware that dresses up the table just a bit for a special occasion. I think I prefer the Waterford in that regard.

32

Good idea, Jim. I haven’t ruled out purchasing both, either.

33

This isn’t a bad idea, really; you can purchase one of each, use both of them for awhile, see which one you prefer, and then go back and buy a bunch of that one.

34

Zwiesel…end of story.

35

This thread is like someone asking whether to buy wine A or wine B…
and the correct answer is always buy both! [highfive.gif]

36

[welldone.gif] [winner.gif]

37

What?? [wow.gif] well you have some work ahead of you…
[drinkers.gif]

38

Dan - Don’t worry, I do have wine nightly; it just will not be in these glasses. I have a nice tasting stem I received a few years ago, and that is my nightly wine glass. (Incidentally, it costs as much as four or five of either brand I’m considering now. Would love to use those for all but I don’t want to cry when they break, and trust me, at my dinner parties, the only guarantee is that something is going to fall over. Sometimes it’s me or one of my friends, but more often, it’s a dish or a glass.)

And to all, thanks again for your help. I like the “both A&B” answer and will probably wind up with some of both.