Glassware: Universal or Varietal Specific?

In the final instalment of glassware/decanting videos, for a while at least, I take you through my preferred glasses and tell you why. I'll also explain what I look for when sizing up a potential new glass. Love to hear what you use, and if you have any better recommendations.
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0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Riedel Ouverture Magnum
1:20 - Plumm Everyday The Red or White Glass
2:04 - Jancis Robinson X Richard Brendon, The Wine Glass
3:03 - Gabriel-Glas Standart
3:38 - Riedel Sommeliers Champagne
4:04 - Riedel Sommeliers Montrachet
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The glass I mention I have purchased and am waiting on its arrival, is the Plumm The Sommelier Series No. 2 (which is apparently a white wine glass, but is in my experience, an excellent universal).
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Any review you see on my socials ( / erinllarkin , this channel and my website (www.erinlarkin.com.au) are never paid for by wineries or anyone else: the wines are featured on their merits - because they have risen to the top in tastings. If you try the wines I recommend and you like them - good! Because so do I.

[@kylemiddlemiss6798]

My personal favorite is the “red solo cup”. But on special occasions, I have been known to break out the “repurposed McDonald’s cup”. It really accentuates the taste of the Franzia.

[@erinlarkin]

Haha. Remind me not to let you choose the drinking vessels!

[@nicolasb.5926]

Thanks, Erin! Such an interesting video! I have a lot of different glasses and I have to admit that I am more and more a fan of universal glasses. Indeed, they combine versatility and practicality. Cheers from France!

[@erinlarkin]

I agree with you Nicolas. It’s tempting to collect lots of different glasses, but I almost always reach for the same ones each time.

[@kendavis7248]

Sometimes a vase is just right! I really enjoy the Gabriel Glas and miss it when I order a glass of wine when I'm out.

[@colinmclean9687]

Agreed - often wish I was drinking out of one when I’m at a restaurant or wine bar!

[@itsphilgeorge]

Amazing. Thanks Erin! +1 for the Riedel Sommeliers Montrachet

[@erinlarkin]

Aren't they good!

[@colinc9412]

Great video 👍I also use gabriel glass and riedel Veritas new world pinot noir glass, both of glasses are very reliable and price is also reasonable as well. I love zalto burgundy too when I drink fine, Burgundy pinot noir.

[@erinlarkin]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@eliotroberts3184]

Great to see your videos again - great content! +1 for the Gabriel Glas from me, love love love them! Chardonnay wise - I love and adore the Zalto burgundy glass too; though I have an (expensive) habit of breaking them…

[@erinlarkin]

Couldn’t agree more about the Zaltos. Perhaps I should have included them here. Peak glass. But anxiety-inducing stems….

[@bradbarter5288]

Funnily enough, I built up a large collection of Riedel Vinum glasses over the years and lost many to accidental bumps. Especially around the sink, when washing, resulting in significant cuts to hands/fingers more often than I’d like to admit. Since buying my first Zaltos back in 2016, I haven’t had any accidents despite using them daily and bumping/knocking them frequently. And as for preference, I rarely reach for the Riedels these days unless it’s for the Burgundy glass.

[@erinlarkin]

You’re lucky you haven’t had any breaks - they’re so fine. Brilliant glasses.

[@steveilich2197]

Enlightening take on glassware Erin, thanks. Our fav's are the Gabriel's and the Zalto Universals which I am happy to drink anything from, including champagne :-)

[@erinlarkin]

Agree with you. The zalto universal is an incredible glass!

[@chrisdavies5515]

Yet another great video Erin, I like basic as Cellar premium red glasses, cheap enough to loose a few at a dinner, but I am starting to collect Krosno Duet collection, got for Xmas, they are very fine indeed. It really does make a difference doesn’t it, after all you wouldn’t drink tea out a plastic cup would you lol

[@erinlarkin]

I would not!

[@sinhaarunima]

Please can you list out in the description box the names you mentioned of the glasswares in this video ? The manufacturers of these wine glasses ?

[@12Trappor]

Three cheers for the Gabriel Standart glasses! I bought mine after viewing Konstantin Baum's video where he tested glasses, and we are very happy with them. For sparkling wine I prefer something more flute-like (but not quite the traditional flute), and I found some champagne glasses that I really like called Futura from the Austrian manufacturer Glass&Co.

[@erinlarkin]

Gabriel’s are a very good universal glass! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@colinmclean9687]

This was a very fun video!! I love a big ass glass (purely for the vibe) and would love a recommendation for one. I drink out of a Gabriel Glas for every wine, outside of a sparkling (zalto Champagne) 🥂

[@erinlarkin]

I can’t help you with recommendations for big glassware, but it sounds like we agree on both Gabriels and Zaltos (although I am a fan of the Zalto Universal for champagne…)

[@vinomo6388]

Great video as always, we don't have a favourite stem and it seems to vary based on the wine! Ms. B prefers Zaltos, but I think I alternate between Gabriel Glas Gold and the JRxRB. However, we also have Riedel Veritas and both the old and new Plumms 😅 Haven't landed on a champagne glass just yet though...

[@erinlarkin]

Try the Riedel Sommeliers. It’s really lovely to hold, and the shape is great for lots of different styles of champagne

[@jmjmmusicx]

I love this topic! And am often very picky about glassware. My current fave is the Plumm THREE no. 1 universal glass. The wine bar I work at uses them for all wines by the glass (and most bottles bar burgundy styles) and they perform so excellently. They truly bring you closer to the wine in my opinion. My current pick for special bottles at home are the Spiegelau definition Bordeaux glasses. They have a universal one as well but I find that proportionately they don't really work that well (base is way too big for the actual bowl and just looks a bit silly) so the Bordeaux ones are my choice for universal. These are suuuuuuper fine crystal - almost on par with the Zalto glasses (but a quarter of the price). They do such a good job at expressing the wine you are drinking and (like the Plumm) bring you the closest you can be to the wine. Great video, I truly love them all xx

[@erinlarkin]

Hot tip thanks James! I know all about the Plumm Sommelier series and agree with you, the 3 is excellent. I haven't tried the Spieglau Definition BDX glasses, but I'll give them a go. Thanks!

[@kevyk8011]

Great video and comparison. Miele dishwashers are fantastic for glass placement. Zalto universal fan here. With a zaltosauternes glass for single malts and full bodied cru champagne 🍾

[@erinlarkin]

Zalto universals are an excellent glass!

[@danabarbera8123]

😅😅😅 ❤ the bottle and half pour!!

[@erinlarkin]

😂

[@heidizerbin-collins9495]

"I've only had one glass!"

[@benhall9321]

Nice video Erin! I likewise use the Gabriel Glas StandArt as day to day glasses, for the reasons you espoused. I like the look of Jancis Robinson universal glasses quite a bit but had heard that perhaps the aperture of the glass was a ltttle on the small side. Not sure if you have found that? I also have some hand blown Grassl Glasses which I really like, which I use for more special occasion wines. While they are incredibly light and fine, they have a wide base and can be put in the dishwasher.

[@erinlarkin]

I’m going to follow up on the Grassl, you are not the first to mention them. I have no problem with the JRxRB glass, but then I do pour relatively small…

[@minka8047]

Grassl is hand blown, beautiful, fine , expensive and delicate. I've also tried the Lehmann ultralight Psyche but the found the best value for money the Gabriel especially if you can get the hospitality packs

[@philt3187]

Riedel sommelier range - Burgundy or Bordeaux ranges are big glasses!

[@felipetorres4619]

Great videos.. can you do a video of how you clean them properly.. I don't use my dishwasher..they always break 🥲

[@erinlarkin]

I always use the dishwasher, precisely because they’re apt to break in the sink. The trick is, very hot water, and immediate polishing with a clean polishing cloth. But the dishwasher is better 😉

[@Nae395]

Riedel Magnum every day of the year Erin.

[@piersr.3343]

Hi Erin Very timely post as about to buy new glasses , just had a beautiful tolpuddle Pinot this evening then saw this video and the last glass you poured gave me a good laugh as you kept pouring the whole bottle without breaking in to hard laughter . Hear you on practicality but wanted to get your view on the variety of reidel glasses for new world pinot/burgandy /Bordeaux / Cab glasses ? Do you think they will really make a significant difference to the tasting and scent ? Noticed the glasses you have are one fits all for red wine at least , perhaps for all your tastings but was wondering if you think the specific reidel glasses make sense for Pinot /burgandy/Bordeaux/ Aussie cabs if your sharing three or four different red grapes (4 wine bottles) in a week ? Baring in mind if a weekly wine enthusiast has room for 12 glasses in a cuboard and or likes different reds and a chard with a few guests would you start differentiating glasses on specificity of the grape ? do you think it makes that much a difference to at least have a Pinot and Cabernet/Shiraz differentiation? or less so a new world pinot and burgandy differentiation if your not doing so many tastings and opening half a dozen bottles a week with friends ? . Perhaps a little excessive but a good Standish or tolpuddle may deserve different glasses ? . great to catch some of your new videos whilst you have time again . Piers

[@erinlarkin]

Varietal specific glasses do make a difference, there is no question. Burgundy/Pinot/Grenache all go well in a similar glass. Cabernet and Shiraz likewise, can go well in similar glasses. Most whites can go in a similar size glass, with the exception of Chardonnay (and perhaps Rhone white varietals) which really excel in a Chardonnay glass, such as the one I feature in the video. You are best to experiment and make up your own mind, but this is a good base of information. I still, after having said all of this, prefer a universal glass, but you have to do what suits you.

[@LensCapJB]

Generally drinking from the plumm #3 because we tend towards chardonnay, gamay, grenache blends. Gorgeous bowl, impossible to sit there and not swirl the wine around. Q. When drinking Reisling or Cabernet/Shiraz am I comprising the quality of my experience by using this glass shape? Cheers 😊

[@erinlarkin]

Mmm, good question. I’d say that the Shiraz will go ok in there, but you want something a little smaller for Riesling and a little taller for Cabernet. You might want to get a second universal to go for these three varieties. The Plumm #2 is a good glass for other whites and reds

[@waynepb900]

I enjoy drinking fine wine and spirits from fine crystal. I do prefer to spend my wine and spirits budget on wine and spirits so I buy mixed match and out of fashion crystal from vintage shops. I have even picked a collection of mixed Nick and Nora glasses, I can drink a nice cab or a very nice dry martini from them. Cheers.

[@active285]

Hello Erin! Do you think you can compromise using the RIEDEL Veritas Champagne series instead of the RIEDEL Sommeliers Champagne? It seems to me the only difference is that the former is handmade and the latter machine-made but both are crystal glasses.

[@erinlarkin]

Yes - absolutely.

[@active285]

@@erinlarkin Thank you!

[@sebnarciso426]

I have the Plumm No. 1 and am interested in adding the Gabriel to my cupboard. How do you like them side-by-side, or are they too similar?

[@erinlarkin]

They're pretty similar. Gabriel has a slightly bigger bowl, more of a curve on the side of it, and taller in the bowl (shorter overall). The stem on the Plumm is longer, the bowler shorter, and generally a very elegant glass. I had the Plumm No 1's, and liked them very much, but couldn't fit them in my Smeg dishwasher. Gabriel better in that regard. Up to you!

[@colinpetersen1173]

The big-bowled glasses are great for instagram. Take a slo-mo video of a wine swirl, Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy glass will leave those skinny glasses for dead 😄

[@erinlarkin]

I’m not drinking aesthetics Colin!

[@jjh00]

The Plumm seem like great value. I haven’t handled one though.

[@ravinraj7570]

Hi Erin - love your videos...re Riedel glassware - i was told to never put it into the dishwasher. is that correct ?

[@vinomo6388]

That sounds rather odd? Most fine stemware makers recommend dishwashers as you are more likely to break it cleaning the bowl.

[@erinlarkin]

I agree with Vinomo 👆🏼 we have a Smeg dishwasher and I think it does a brilliant job. This is the second one we’ve had and all my glassware goes through it. The trick is to stack it right with no pressure points

[@ravinraj7570]

@@erinlarkin Thanks Erin - my wife will be happy.

[@kurjan1]

Lalique, Waterford, Riedel... in that order. My crystal never EVER goes near a dishwasher... nor guests who love helping clean up. 😂😊 ...and it depends on the guest which crystal is put out. I keep Coles special as well. Just in case 🤗

[@erinlarkin]

Provided you stack them right, I find it far more reliable to wash them in the dishwasher… we have less breakages that way.

[@kurjan1]

@@erinlarkin I understand. I’m the same, I love my dishwasher. The issue I have is that dishwashers or rather dishwasher tablets use abrasive chemicals and the heat sends fine crystal milky over time.

[@erinlarkin]

Ah interesting. I wonder how long that takes - I put my tasting glasses through multiple times each week and have had the same set for about 6 years. They’re still perfectly clear at this stage.

[@eta1po]

I pretty much won't buy anything other than Plumm these days. I love their Sommelier series and have them all for differing occasions.

[@erinlarkin]

I can’t wait for mine to arrive. It’s a pleasing shape and a good size and they’re good quality, too. Very good value for money.

[@sydmcdowell9638]

Anyone know any shops in Perth who sell Gabriel Glas ?

[@erinlarkin]

Try Boatshed Wineloft?

[@sydmcdowell9638]

@@erinlarkin many thanks. Mr Google failed me

[@erinlarkin]

To be fair to you, they’re actually not easy to track down.