Thanks for informing us of Baccarat’s contemporary lines. Wasnt aware of this. Though I can barely afford them, my impression of Baccarat before is that appeals to those who are fond of middle ages/royalty/medieval history stuff.

I stick to Riedels and Schott Zwiesels. When outside, even the Ocean brand will do, if the wine isnt that special.

As to Reidel, their wide range of glass narrowly focused on specific varietals is to say the least, confounding. They should get the credit though for cost justifiable and beautifully designed wine glass that can withstand rough handling in restaurant settings and washing in powerful commercial dish washers.

Jody

You could replace the word ‘glass’ with ‘wine’ and this statement would be true for the majority of people.

Wine is a Serious Hobby in our household to the extent where travel is planned around wine (and food) and wine is purchased not infrequently by the case. But while we have a considerable investment in our cellar’s contents, we have little patience for pretension. Wine tastings are frequent, often informal with a few friends who are also serious wine aficionados. Shape IS important and we have demonstrated that repeatedly ourselves at wine tastings, primarily because it allows better appreciation of what the wine smells like (which is a huge influence on the taste of the wine–think about what you can/can’t taste when you have a cold). *However*, this is true mainly in extreme comparisons–a Dixie cup versus a decently shaped wine glass (by no means do I mean this must be a Riedel) with an adequately large volume and shape to allow swirling. I like a glass with decent balance that feels good in the hand. Personally I care very little for most cut-glass or cut-crystal glasses because their shapes are just wrong, or the glass too heavy–most antique crystalware is in this category and I would not serve my wines in them because I care more for how the wine tastes than for the prettiness of a glass. I don’t think that there is a discernible difference between a glass ostensibly designed for Bordeaux and one designed for Barolo (and yes, I have tried a comparison). Certainly I would never spend the money on what I think is a marketing ploy–those funds are much better spent on the Barolo itself. We do have Riedel glasses, but also glasses from other makers, including some very serviceable ones from Ikea that cost less than a dollar each, are dishwasher safe, and stack nicely for storage. The crystal (inherited) languishes in storage…

the thing about subjective measurement is that it differs from one person to the next. one person might want it one way and the other person might want it the opposite way. both are neither right nor wrong. who is to say that drinking fine vintage wine in a Styrofoam cup is not giving the wine justice? remember the last scene of the movie “Sideways” where the lead character basically said, fuck the conventions and accouterments of wine drinking, i’ll drink my fine wine in a styrofoam cup and i will not do it any other way!

to answer a definitive question like “does wine glass really matter” one needs an objective measurement. subjective opinions make for fun and friendly discussions but it will not help you in answering the questions raised.