Austrian Zalto Wine Glasses
By Marisa D'Vari | December 2nd, 2007 | Category: News | 2 comments
If you love wine, you know how maddening it is to visit a restaurant — even an upscale one — and find the server has brought you a cheap glass for your very $$$$ wine. Many times, this is because the owners want to stick to a "casual bistro" theme even though the wine list can go up to four figures.
Perhaps these owners don't know or care that glassware is very important to proper wine appreciation. The thinner and more finely constructed the glass, the better your fine wine will taste. Companies like Riedl have popularized the concept, and most wine aficionados know this brand name.
There is a new company on the market called Zalto from Austria that is bringing their glassware to the USA. Austria has a tradition of glass blowing that goes back to the early 14th century.
What's different about the new Zalto line, called the Denk 'Art series? First, the curves of the bowls are tilted at specific angles, which are in accordance with the angles of the Earth. Ancient roman winemakers utilized these same angles with their supply repositories, and found that produce stayed fresher and longer and showed improved taste.
At the very posh restaurant Danube, which specializes in Austrian cuisine and wine, I tried these glasses (the line includes glasses for red, white, and other specialized wines) and was favorably impressed. The thin glass showed the color beautifully and the shape enhanced the aroma. Even better, I found they are dishwasher safe and resist clouding.
If you love wine, Zalto offers a stylish and modern alternative to fine stemware currently on the market.
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Hello Marisa,
Yes, of course you are aware of shape and contruction, but on a microscopic level good crystal is much ruffer there by mixing the wine and ripping it up to expose it to the oxygen. If the wine has a bit of a bite from its tannins it is always good to decant. To decant for its maximum effect it must be poured very slowly to make as big and wide a thin layer while cascading down the side of the decanter. The effect is instantaneous. The head of the Clos du Val tasting room is best for showing the nunances of decanting while Dick Steltzner does the best presentation on stemware. I have not tried the Zalto, Reidel seems to be everywhere in the wine country, but, Baccarrat has always been my favorite. This is in the Napa Valley, my area. I hope this may be informative.
Hi Marisa,
Just wanted to let you know that my company, Winemonger, is importing the Zalto line. Folks can find them at our website (winemonger.com). We don't yet have them in any brick-and-mortar retail shops, so this is the source!
Cheers,
Emily