September 15, 2007

How to Fix a Riedel

Here is an update on the recently broken Riedel. Mike has gone to great lengths to revive the glass, of which are two methods in particular: that which you see on the left is the 'Cup Method', where you can lift the glass off the cup when drinking, or alternatively use it in conjunction with the handle - creating a Riedel Bordeaux mug. That on the right is the 'Rubber Method': what is left of the stem is pinned into a rubber. One may likewise choose to remove the glass from the rubber when drinking, and pin it back into the rubber when idle, or let the rubber serve as a semi-permanent base. Anybody have any fun ideas for the glass? (Other than it being a candle snuffer? Preferably something that will see its continued use as a drinking apparatus.

Article: ‘Does a 50-buck wine glass buy you better-tasting wine?’

4 comments:

Marcus said...

These are valiant efforts. How about sanding off what remains of the stem to approximate one of those Riedel stemless tasting glasses? You know the ones? Mine are blind and came direct form Austria and I love them.

Phil said...

I contemplated neatly sawing off what was left of the stem, but then I thought to myself; with such a small flat surface area, it would run the risk of easily losing balance (particularly in the hands of it's new owner!)

Yes, I know the glasses you speak of. The Riedel 'O' Series, yours being from the sommeliers range. I myself prefer to use a glass from the stem. I tend to find finger prints become more of an issue otherwise.

I am saddened by the fact that my glass set is all but a mess now. Riedel: 1x Bordeaux, 2x Riesling, 6x cheapies. This makes life hard when planning a dinner party for 4 people in the next week or so.

The question is, "Commit to Riedel, again?" Or "Give up on Riedel?!"

Anonymous said...

i myself fine optimal enjoyment drinking wine from shallow plastic goblets. i love the simplicity and functionality of the device, which is purely designed to deliver the beverage in all its tannic glory into the consumer. the overall experience fills me with vinous humility.

Peter of Brisbane said...

If you ever get over to the Barossa Valley, go to Kaesler Vineyardy/winery.....

http://www.kaesler.com.au/html/old_vine_series.htm

They sell Riedel glasses with their motif on for $18 each. I now have about 8 of them :-)

Also, I *highly*, *highly* recommend The Bogan.

http://www.kaesler.com.au/html/documents/2006TheBoganShiraz.pdf

The story behind the name..... the winemaker makes all the other wines to suit various members of the Kaesler family/organisation, so he made a wine that *he* wanted and that he liked. It was called The Bogan because he wanders around in flannelette shirts and Ugg boots and everyone ribs him for being a Bogan!!

I tasted the Old Bastard (yes!! they actually open $150 wines for you to taste!!) and the Bogan, and the Bogan won hands down.

Another thing, while in the Barossa, go to the Penfolds winery and do the "Winemakers Tour". You rumble around the whole place, and then go up into the laboratory and spend several wonderful (and drunken) hours trying to make your own Bin 138 from 3 bottles of the varieties used (Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedre). They give you a bottle of the current vintage to taste/drink and you have to get as close as you can.

I asked for a job there when they looked at my notes and measurements and told me I was only 1/2% off what the winemakers had used for that vintage!!

Love your blog, keep up the good work. I've drunk approx 95% of the wines you have up in your blog as well :-)