Zalto Wine Glasses

[Flemming_P]

@Ben A.

Don’t buy before a side by side with Vinum. At least on Burgundy, our group has not been convinced the Zalto is the equal.

I do agree with this, as i also have found they are not always the best compared to Riedel.

[Paul_L_i_n]

@Kevin Kitagawa

@Paul L i n

Seems odd to me that people would have such high praise for a particular glass manufacturer and then completely disregard said manufacturer’s recommendation for which glass to use for which wine. The size and shape is a large part of the beauty and performance of Zalto glasses, so if you’re going to ditch the recommended size and shape, why bother even using them? Why not just use Burgundy glasses for everything (which I have seen some people do)?

Just because the manufacturer recommends a particular glass doesn’t mean they’re right…or right for any particular person. More than a few people on this board as well as winemakers, etc… prefer white wine glasses for Champagne vs. a typical long champagne glass…

If you have seen the Zalto Champagne glass, you will notice that it is not a typical long glass. I’m not talking about other manufacturers. A white wine glass, in my experience, is suitable for very young Champagne, the larger bowl serving the purpose of aerating the wine in the same way a decanter helps to open up a young red wine. But when it comes to drinking Champagne during its peak drinking window, the Zalto Champagne glass is more suitable. To serve it in a larger glass muddles the delicate fruit and dulls the effervescence, which is the essence of Champagne.

People are free to use whatever glass they like; that is certainly their prerogative. But if they prefer white wine glasses for Champagne, then they probably don’t need to spend the money on a Zalto. They could easily save themselves $40 or more per glass and just buy a white wine glass from Crate & Barrel. For the result is likely to be the same.

[Diane_Elam]

zalto champagne glasses are unbeatable. i’ve also become a recent convert to the bordeaux zalto’s and use them for lots of things like dageneau’s silex. and as for brakeage, i’ve yet to break one. seriously. much higher breakage rate with riedel’s at our house. i’ve also found that i’ve gotten a bum batch of riedel burgs, which all seemed to practically self-desstruct. fyi: i always hand wash.

[David_Glasser]

Piling on -the Zalto Champagne glass is so much better than any other I’ve tried. Much more of a difference than between different producers’ similar-shaped Burg or Bdx glasses. It’s shaped somewhat closer to a still white wine glass than a flute, but with a long stem.

[Doug_Lee]

Just bought some Universals and agree, the difference is noticeable. I particularly like the way these glasses magnify the nose (of the wine, that is).

Cheers,
Doug

[Russ_Williams]

@Paul L i n

People are free to use whatever glass they like; that is certainly their prerogative. But if they prefer white wine glasses for Champagne, then they probably don’t need to spend the money on a Zalto. They could easily save themselves $40 or more per glass and just buy a white wine glass from Crate & Barrel. For the result is likely to be the same.

You’re kidding…right??

[Russ_Williams]

@Doug Lee

Just bought some Universals and agree, the difference is noticeable. I particularly like the way these glasses magnify the nose (of the wine, that is).

As you know, I couldn’t agree more. I’ll just say it, the best wine glass on the market IMNSHO.

[Paul_L_i_n]

@Russ Williams

@Paul L i n

People are free to use whatever glass they like; that is certainly their prerogative. But if they prefer white wine glasses for Champagne, then they probably don’t need to spend the money on a Zalto. They could easily save themselves $40 or more per glass and just buy a white wine glass from Crate & Barrel. For the result is likely to be the same.

You’re kidding…right??

If using them for Champagne, no, not really. The differences between white wine glasses when used for Champagne is negligible compared to the differences between the Zalto Champagne glass and other wine glasses.

[Kevin_Kitagawa]

While I think Zalto Champagne glasses are great and I don’t disagree with you that they’re one of the best for Champagne, your statement about getting cheapo glasses if you prefer champagne in white wine glasses is…well…pretty arrogant…I mean, why do you think that Zalto Champagne glass shape is becoming popular now (I’ve seen quite a few like it recently)…probably because white wine glasses were outperforming flutes so really they’ve incorporated the two shapes into one…a bigger bulb section combined with longer body…

But forgetting about that…you made the generic statement about the manufacturers suggested glass for each wine…I’m sure you’ve seen other wines perform better in glasses they weren’t intended for…I’m sure everyone has…if not they haven’t tried enough glassware and wine…

[Dav_d_Parta_n]

@Russ Williams

@Paul L i n

People are free to use whatever glass they like; that is certainly their prerogative. But if they prefer white wine glasses for Champagne, then they probably don’t need to spend the money on a Zalto. They could easily save themselves $40 or more per glass and just buy a white wine glass from Crate & Barrel. For the result is likely to be the same.

You’re kidding…right??

Paul, you’ve challenged the legitimacy of a WB favorite. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk! What’s next? Gonon is crap?

Joking of course.

[Andrew_W1]

@Barry Sunderland

@J. Singleton

Winemonger is sliiiightly less expensive than Wine Enthusiast. Shipping is much better too. I don’t know that there is a magical place out there to get them on the cheap.[/quote


One has gotta’ support Wine Monger for Zalto…besides price, they were the early ‘believers’…

Just took the plunge, can’t wait to try them out! (Using schott top ten series now)

[Diane_Elam]

Just took the plunge, can’t wait to try them out! (Using schott top ten series now)

Congratulations, Andrew. You won’t regret it.

[Andrew_W1]

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@Diane Elam

Just took the plunge, can’t wait to try them out! (Using schott top ten series now)

Congratulations, Andrew. You won’t regret it.

Have a Stefania Syrah open right now in the universal and my old Schott glass, and wow, the nose is in a different league. I’m sold!

[Russ_Williams]

@Andrew W.

Have a Stefania Syrah open right now in the universal and my old Schott glass, and wow, the nose is in a different league. I’m sold!

The difference is amazing. Enjoy!!

[Kevin_Sidders]

All right, Russ – you talked me into it. First stem on order – Universal.

Look forward to my first taste tests – Hope I get the same results you have.

TBH, I’m still skeptical on the dishwasher thing – while the comments here have mitigated my breakage concerns, I still worry about soap/chemical residue. I like my stemware CLEAN…

[Russ_Williams]

Welcome to the party Kevin.

[Dave_McIsaac]

Dang it Russ! Now I am thinking should I order 1, 2 or 4!

[Russ_Williams]

Don’t take my word for it…I have the palate of a yak. Order 1 before you take the plunge.

[M_Hoose]

Sorry all - late to the party…so recommendations for Syrahs / Rhones leaning more towards Universal than Bordeaux?
Have been using the Riedel Vitis - want to be sure I’m getting the best from the juice and maybe a stem change is a good first step?

Thanks,

Michael

[Pierre-Yves]

Michael,

You have to try for yourself, but I use more the Bordeaux glass for the Syrahs / Rhones than the Universal.

Pierre-Yves