Zalto: The Ultimate Pinot Noir Glass

Last week, two of my life long friends and I, known locally as the Local Lunch Gals, went to one of downtown Eugene’s newest and finest restaurants: Soubise.  We were invited to come for dinner to experience their wine and food while the filming of an upcoming Rick Dancer TV show was taking place – the Local Lunch Gals were being featured in this particular episode, which was food-centric.

As impressive and delicious as the food at Soubise was, and you can read our raving review here, I was totally swept off of my feet by the Burgundy wine glasses that arrived alongside a bottle of Ayres 2011 Perspective Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir.   Stunningly gorgeous, I immediately asked our server the brand name of the glasses, and he said, ” Zalto Denk`Art, they’re made in Austria.”  There’s not much out there that gets me more excited than stellar stemware, indeed, I am an admitted wine glass snob – I just had to find out more about Zalto.

One of the co-owners of Soubise, Cory Stamp, came over to the table with the whole line of Zalto glasses, along with my beloved Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir glass. He explained that Zalto glasses were the best of the best, and I’m sure he could see my doubt as he poured some Pinot Noir into the Riedel and into the Zalto – I have been a huge fan of Riedel’s Oregon Pinot Noir glass for a very long time.  I swirled and sniffed the Pinot out of the Zalto Burgundy glass and also swirled and sniffed the Pinot from the Riedel – I instantly noticed a difference.  Alcohol was more pronounced in the Riedel, and the aromas were not as fruit-focused as they were in the Zalto.  The texture of the Pinot from the Zalto was amazingly luxurious: silky waves of cherries, orange peel, earth and fall spices flowed in seamless waves from the front of the palate all the way to the lengthy, ambrosial finish.  Acidity was smooth and balanced out the fruity characteristics to perfection.

I can’t believe I’m about to write this.  The wine from the Zalto was all around richer, silkier and juicier than the wine from the Riedel.  Aromas and flavors were more pronounced and completely alluring.  The acidity was definitely more pronounced in the Riedel, and being the acid hound that I am, this isn’t a bad thing.  But, that Zalto….wow.  It’s not that I won’t ever use a Riedel again, it’s what I have at home and use with all Pinot Noirs and Champagnes, but I must also get myself a Zalto.

I Googled Zalto on my iPhone to see the price. Wine Enthusiast sells them for a whopping $63.95 per glass, and here’s what they have to say about the Zalto Burgundy glass:

Introducing a new generation of mouth-blown, lead-free and dishwasher-safe wine glasses, the ZALTO DENK`ART Collection, luxury stemware you could sense from your fingertips to the moment you take your first sip.

From the first touch, each Zalto glass distinguishes itself from all other glasses. From the perfectly executed balance to the extraordinary design, the achievement of the Denk`Art line are glasses that seem nearly too delicate to hold, and yet they are made for just that. This is glassware that stands at the rarefied point where form meets function. This is art.

The development of the Denk`Art series was influenced by the earth in accordance to the tilt angles of the Earth. Thus, the curve of the bowls are tilted at the angles of 24 degrees, 48 degrees and 72 degrees.

The Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy glass is recommended for powerful and expressive wines above 13% alcohol.  The shape of the bowl integrates the components of the wine, bringing to the foreground the fruit and sweeter notes. Especially For: Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Chardonnay, Gruener Veltliner and Cognac. Lead-Free. Dishwasher-Safe.

Dimensions: 9″ height, 32 ounces

It’s time for me to start saving some money, the Zalto Denk`Art Burgundy glass is a must-have for a Pinot Noir enthusiast like me.  As @WineMonger stated on Twitter (when I announced that I had just discovered my new favorite wine glass), “Welcome to your new addiction…(worth it).”

Purchase Zalto stemware through Winemonger.com

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Click the link to watch the Local Lunch Gals on TV! Rick Dancer TV September 29 Episode