The New York Tabletop Show was in full swing last month, with showrooms opened to journalists and buyers alike to display the latest and greatest in flatware, china and stemware.
Riedel, the company that pioneered varietally-specific glasses and then gave us the more casual dishwasher-friendly stemless “O” line was touting its boxed sets of stemware. Sold in pre-packaged kits, consumers will save 25% off retail when buying in bulk. For fans of the “O” line, Riedel has launched a new line — Swirl — which is a slightly modified design from its initial stemless design. However, the swirl-like shape of the glasses makes them very comfortable to hold and adds surface area to the decanter, increasing its functionality in aerating wine. Riedel also debuted a new glass especially designed with fruit-forward, New World wines in mind. Among its more artful pieces, Riedel has expanded its use of color in its decanters, which now are available in a wide range of shapes and designs and both functional and stunning.
Opening just in time for the weeklong event, Eisch launched its first U.S. showroom. Eisch is probably best known for its drip-free (No Drop Effect ©) decanters, saving white tablecloths everywhere, but the new showroom provided an opportunity to see a much broader array of merchandise. Among Eisch’s more intriging products is its Sensis plus glass technology, available in a number of its stemware lines. The special Sensis plus treatment during manufacture permits the wine to “become more harmonious and complex, with better balance and greater elegance,” eliminating the need for a decanter in many cases. In a side by side comparison by the author of a Pinot Noir (one in a Sensis plus glass and one in a regular glass), the Sensis plus glass pulled out more fruit from the wine, while a Chardonnay in a Sensis plus glass seemed more nuanced. Eisch also boasts a range of glasses designed in conjunction with author and publisher Ronn R. Wiegand, one of the few people in the world to hold both the MS (Master Sommelier) and MW (Master of Wine) titles.
Eisch glasses are available at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and, like Riedel, may also be found in high-end department stores. In addition, most of Riedel’s products may be purchased directly from their website or head to Edison, NJ, from May 5-7 for Riedel’s spring sale.
