Good but Sturdy Glasses?

[tammylc]

I bought a set of 6 Speiglau glasses last New Year's Eve, and I'm now down to 2. My husband (much as I love him) can't seem to wash them without breaking them, and I've even broken one myself. I keep looking at the Amazon "buy 6, get 6 free" deal and thinking I should order some, but I'm worried about their longevity in my household.

For what it's worth, the glasses I have are the Chianti glasses - I don't know if their design makes them less sturdy than other versions. In addition to being fragile, I've also found that they feel really top heavy to me, which is something I don't like.

Anyone have any suggestions for high quality, crystal glasses that are a little sturdier? Mark Sommelier mentioned Schott-Zweisel on another thread - anyone have experience with them? How do they compare to Speiglau or Reidel?

[=Mark]

I've found half pint mason jars hold up really well...

[MatthewB]

Tammy,

Do you have access to someone who would sell you glasses from the Riedel "Restaurant" collection?

I have some of the Pinot Noir glasses in that line which I picked up for $9/stem.

(The stems are fairly heavy-duty.)

[Carolyn Tillie]

Do you have a Cost Plus Imports near you? They have a Spieglau knock-off for $4.99 a stem:

Edited to Add Link to Cost Plus

Edited November 12, 2003 by Carolyn Tillie (log)

[mikeycook]

They are not particularly high end, but we got Waterford Marquis glasses (they are sold on Amazon as well) when we got married. They were the best option at the time for a large clear wine glass (Macy's registry). They have held up well over the last 3+ years (have only broken one.) I haven't yet felt the need to upgrade to Reidel or Speiglau.

[tammylc]

They are not particularly high end, but we got Waterford Marquis glasses (they are sold on Amazon as well) when we got married. They were the best option at the time for a large clear wine glass (Macy's registry). They have held up well over the last 3+ years (have only broken one.) I haven't yet felt the need to upgrade to Reidel or Speiglau.

What's the rim like? The thing I like about the high end glasses is the smooth, non-rolled rim.

[tammylc]

Do you have a Cost Plus Imports near you? They have a Spieglau knock-off for $4.99 a stem:

Edited to Add Link to Cost Plus

There's one right across the street from where I work, in fact.

The look good in the picture, and are certainly in a price range I can live with... Have you used them?

[Carolyn Tillie]

Do you have a Cost Plus Imports near you? They have a Spieglau knock-off for $4.99 a stem:

Edited to Add Link to Cost Plus

There's one right across the street from where I work, in fact.

The look good in the picture, and are certainly in a price range I can live with... Have you used them?

Having broken too many Speiglau and other high-end glasses, these are all I use now. No rolled edge! Very clean...

I buy them by the dozen for the holidays and don't stress when one gets broken.

[chado]

Wow! Thanks for the recommendation of cheap stemware. My wife and I bought ones from pottery barn last year and all but one was broken...until this weekend!

A World Market just opened up near by. I think that may be our best bet!

Thanks!

[futronic]

I use Speiglau glasses, both Bordeaux and Burgundy stems. I think the trick to not breaking them is leaving them on the counter until the day AFTER imbibing.

Rinsing them out before you go to bed is probably a good idea, however.

Edited November 12, 2003 by futronic (log)

[mnebergall]

I would take a look at what Costco has. I got some Reidel glasses there for a very good price.