So, you guys all believe buying a wine type specific glass is important? (e.g. “bordeaux glass” for drinking a bordeaux red wine) Does the shape actually make a difference or is it just an aesthetic thing? Because that type of wine has always been served using that type of glass?
And what are your opinions on “breathable glass” such as this one…
They have Riedel but without stems. I prefer glasses with stems.
I’m from Toronto btw…hence the Canadian shop URL listed.
I totally agree Leroy. I cannot believe there is a perfect glass shape and size for a specific grape variety, irrespective of where it’s grown and how it’s made. I can appreciate there are better glasses for big red wines than lighter ones and for aromatic versus minerally whites but to gave a different glass for every noble grape variety seems like glass salesman’s dream come true.
What’s the perfect glass for a Macabeu/Grenache gris/Carignan blanc?
I think it’s just marketing. Would CH. Margaux taste that different in a beer glass than a Riedel Bordeaux glass? Supposedly the shape of the bordeaux glass allows the wine to breathe “more”. Especially when swirled. I should test this out. But having said that I will still go pickup some Riedel glass anyway. 
Don’t want to look like a hobo!
I have the Riedel Vinum for bordeaux and burgundy which I like a lot. However, at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour, they use a slightly smaller Riedel glass which I prefer for everyday drinking. Amazingly (at least to me) lots of folks leave their glasses behind so collected as many as I could discretely carry out.
Stop!! THIEF!!! I will have to pay for mine.
Well I wouldn’t go so far as to say a beer glass is as good as a Riedel. I did a tasting function earlier this year where the organisers served their cheap plonk in a lovely Riedel and gave us café style ones to serve our fine wines. Nice! Anyway, I got the visitors to use their Riedels for our wine and the difference was very obvious.
What I don’t believe is that there is a perfect glass for all Pinot, a different glass for all Cab/Merlot and so on.
What I have found though is that wine is more open and attractive on certain days. I do not believe in the Biodynamic calandar but it probably has to do with atmospheric pressure. On those dull days, wines need a bigger glass to come alive.
I didn’t say a beer glass is as good as a Riedel. Just used it as an example. If you poured some wine from the same decanter in a beer glass and again in a bordeaux glass…would it really make a noticeable difference? Or is it just marketing by the glass makers? Will experiment later.
Since my last post I’ve read In other forums people constantly complain about how breakable Riedel stemware is. Surprising. Riedel has established itself I think as the premier brand name for stemware and owns Spiegelau too know.
They usually recommend Spiegelau or Schott Zwiezel. More SZ as being the more durable for everyday use.
I’m new to wines (have been an uneducated wino heh). Learning the terms, lingo, history…etc. And am about to sell my condo so I haven’t invested in stemware or decanters. Or a wine fridge. But when I am able I will start with SZ stemware.
A noted “master sommelier” by the name of Andrea Immer Robinson has put out two wine glasses of her own. One for white wines and one for reds. She claims they can be used for all types of red and white wines. And outclasses other brands. True or not I don’t know. She doesn’t have a martini or champagne glass yet though. Or Cognac. She claims there is no need to buy varietal specific stemware. Won’t make the stemware companies happy. But of course she’s trying to market her own 2 glasses.
Can be ordered at her website “Andrea Wine” (Google that).
Citibank in Canada went belly up. Another major Canadian bank (I think CIBC) got all their clients. I was one. Had a Citi VISA. No longer use that card. 
Oh well… No free fragile Riedel stemware for me.