Customer Reviews

Riedel Vinum XL Pinot Noir Glass, Set of 2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't speak too highly of this wine glass. It works for any Pinot Noir just brilliantly, not only the Oregonian examples. The aromas flood out of the glass, really allowing the nuances and secondary/tertiary notes to flourish, while on the palate the flavors are concentrated adeptly really allowing a perfect expression of this gorgeous varietal. Best of all, it works well as an all-purpose glass. Previously I had recommended the Vinum Zin/Riesling glass with the caveat that it did not work for Pinot at all. Now that problem is solved. I have consumed every major varietal from this glass, and all work. Syrah expecially does well (not surprising since before the Syrah glass was developed the Pinot glass was recommended for all Rhone reds!), as does the aromatic whites (Viognier, Gewurz). Sure, Cabernet may not shine as it might from the correct glass, and I always recommend someone owning a good Cab glass, but this glass is clearly the best all-purpose glass for table red and whites that I have ever tried - by an absolute mile.

If you look at my review of the Riedel "Vinum Pinot Noir" glass, you will read of my terrific disappointment with that model, which, somewhat ironically, is death for pinot noir; and my praise for the "Oregon Pinot Noir" glass Riedel developed for and distributed to participants in the International Pinot Noir Celebration in McMinnville a couple of years ago.

Yes, this is that IPNC glass, now dubbed the "Vinum XL" and part of the standard Riedel lineup. Silly name -- "Vinum XL" sounds like a "limited edition" Ford pickup truck with flames painted along the side. Great glass -- it is something of a scaled down version of the Sommelier Burgundy glass. This glass is durable, nicely balanced, a comfortable size, lays nicely in the hand -- and is reasonably priced. It does wonders for just about any wine I've ever had in it -- and I've had lots, from Muscadet "Clos des Briords" to Roulot Meursault "Tessons" to Cotat "Grande Cote" to Jasmin Cote Rotie to Bachelet Charmes Chambertin to Patricia Green "Ana" pinot noir to Selvapiana Chanti Rufina Riserva to... hundreds more by now. They all seem to thrive in this voluptuously bell-shaped open bowl, with its elegantly pinched and flared top. Serve about an inch or so of wine at the bottom -- leaving lots of room for swirling and, given the capacity of the glass, a substantial individual serving. This is now my glass for all but the grandest occasions and we bought lots and lots.

My friend Don Hagge of Vidon Vineyard gave us a set of these glasses with the Vidon logo etched on them, with a bottle of his Mirabelle Reserve 2006. It was an expensive promotional device to upgrade the Vidon brand, but the two glasses are less than half the price of one bottle of Vidon wine, so from a marketing ROI point of view, not too expensive. Then I used these glasses to drink the wine.

Vidon Pinots are good, over 90 points from Parker, but the big balloon lets me really swirl the wine -- lots of room to aerate it quickly. Why 'mess with' a carafe when I can do it in one step right in the glass? I can look at the color and the 'legs,' and the impressive size made me feel I was doing something special. Then I was really surprised that the shape holds the bouquet so I can really smell it. The flare to the rim, while aesthetically pleasing, is also comfortable on the lips. Maybe there's another esoteric, wine-tradition reason for that rim shape?

This wine glass turns drinking a glass of wine into a whole event, well, maybe not as elaborate and mind-calming as a Tea Ceremony, but it has some of the same elements such as focusing your senses to let you concentrate on savoring the wine. Nice.

Ever since my girlfriend and I used these glasses at wineries in Oregon, I had been wanting a set for myself. I'm no wine snob, so I don't usually spend about $25 for a glass, so I hesitated. Then we went to a nice restaurant recently that served our Pinot in these tulip glasses, and i was reminded why we liked them so much- it REALLY does enhance the flavor of the wine. It's said that your sense of smell dictates your sense of taste, and this glass enhances the aroma of the Pinot Noirs fantastically. I will say this- Cabernets and other reds don't seem to have the same upside effect when being drank from these, not sure why. But if you like Pinot Noir, and the cost is not an issue, definitely splurge on these glasses!

The design of this glass is faulty. The thin neck breaks easily, even when you are polishing the glass. I wrote to Riedel and asked them about this, but they couldn't care less. Avoid at all costs.