Product Features

• Glass design enhances taste of red wines such as Red Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
• Handmade, mouth-blown full lead crystal
• Large bowl allows wine to breathe, emphasizes depth in contemporary wines
• Weighs 14 ounces; holds 30-3/8 ounces
• 10-5/8 inches tall; 4 inches wide

From the Editors

First developed in 1973 by Claus Riedel and the Association of Italian Sommeliers, this collection consisted of 10 sizes. Since that time new wines and wine-producing regions have taken the world by storm. So the series was developed further by Claus's son Georg, into an all-embracing state of the art wine glass collection. Praised in 1991 by Robert Parker Jr. publisher of The Wine Advocate, as "the finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make." Thanks to world demand, Sommeliers is now the wineglass benchmark and the most successful series of hand-made glasses in the world. Each glass is individually made: the upper parts are blown into a mould, the stem and base are hand-crafted using methods developed at the time of Christ's birth. Our glass-makers invest their talent, know-how and meticulous craftsmanship in making glasses of the impeccable quality our customers expect.
Product Description

Accessories for the Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru, Single Stem Model 4400-00

Riedel Pannonia Decanter
Corelle Impressions 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4, Enhancements
Corelle Livingware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4, Sunblossoms
That Wine Is Mine Dinner Party Wine Charms, Set of 6
Metrokane Rabbit Corkscrew, Black

Customer Response

came poorly packed--1 broken
Delicate glasses were poorly packed---1 of the 4 was broken. Will never buy glasses through Amazon again and I'm a long-time customer

Delicate works of art
These glasses are true works of art: they are paper thin, perfectly balanced, and ring like a bell when you tap them. I'm not sure I believe the hype about how much they improve the taste of the wine versus other decent stemware, but as they say, presentation is everything.

However, at over $70 a stem, they will break your heart when you break them -- which you (or a guest) definitely will. If you are into wine enough that you are willing to buy a $70 disposable glass, go for it. Or save them for dinner parties and hide the dirty glasses after the meal so no one tries to help out by washing them.

The only way to avoid breaking these over long periods of time is to rinse them with soap and water and turn them upside down to dry on a drying mat. Yes, they will have spots. But if you try to dry them -- no matter how delicately -- you will eventually break the stem off. Trust me, I did this with about 5 of these before I stopped even trying to dry them. Since then I haven't broken any -- but my guests have...

It certainly doesn't help matters that when people are trying to wash and dry these, they've had a full glass of wine -- or three. I suppose there's a certain irony to delicate stemware...

Excellent, if not fragile
This is an excellent glass, but very, very fragile. Seems obvious, but even with an obsessively tedious and careful hand washing I broke one. Beware.

Great for medium-big reds!
Riedel crystal wine glasses are some of the best you can buy. They are specially designed for drinking wine... Riedel makes many different shapes of crystal glasses for different wine vareitals. If you only buy one type of high-end glass for your red wine, however, this one is a great choice. As part of the Sommelier line, it is oversized, so it really opens up the wine for a fuller nose and body. Not meant for whites, or weak, light wines - use a smaller, tighter glass for that. I use this glass for bordeaux, of course... cabernet, merlot, barolo and occasionally also for pinot noir, sangiovese, a big chianti, or super tuscan. The taste of the wine in this glass is distinctly different compared to other glasses (crystal and glass) that we own and have used.

I had ordered this glass to replace one that had broken. Though these glasses are incredibly well made and not 'thin' and 'delicate' as some can be, they are still fragile and should be handled and washed with utmost care, especially given the price you are paying for them! My husband chose to handwash it after imbibing a bit too much, and he broke the stem right off. I do not believe that this problem is one of quality at all, but instead consider this a warning for your handling and care for the glass.

At the time I ordered, the price I found on Amazon was the lowest in comparison to find compared to other discounted prices offered. These glasses are expensive, but worth it.

I was especially impressed by the shipping. In past experience with private distributors, I have had Riedel glasses break in shipping due to poor padding / packaging. When I received my glasses in this case, they were very well protected and arrived intact.

Very Special Glassware

If you can afford to splurge on a Riedel Sommelier series glass you will never regret it. You simply can't believe how much difference a great glass can make, even on "everyday" wines. IMHO, the Zinfandel Sommelier glass is a good all around shape for the price; the Bordeaux and Burgundy ballon are bigger and therefore better because they have more internal surface area, but they cost more and there super-size makes them somewhat impractical.

Because the crystal is delicate and thin, these clearly are not for the dishwasher and must be handwashed. Be aware also that the Sommelier stems separate from the bowl rather easily if you twist the stem while drying the glass with a towel, which is quite a natural movement. But aside from that issue,which applies to many brands of hand blown crystal these are very special in every way.

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