Riedel Vitis Montrachet Glass, Set of 2
Vitis stands tall in the Riedel stable, literally. These glasses are the tallest made by the renowned and continually innovative glassware company. Introduced in spring 2007, Vitis (which means "vine" in Latin) is a bold, oversized extension of Riedel's Vinum Extreme collection, designed with a modern diamond-shape bowl. Both are machine-made of full-lead crystal, but Vitis stems go a step further-they are pulled from a single piece of glass, resulting in a spectacular fluidity. The bowl actually extends down into the tapered stem in a tear-drop fashion, which means the wine itself creates the lower point of the diamond.Unusually large for a white wine glass, the Vitis Montrachet stem holds an impressive 24-3/8 ounces. The bowl is designed to provide ample surface area for the appreciation of such full-flavored white wines as French Montrachet and New World Chardonnays, while the 9-5/8-inch height adds to the sophisticated feel of the brilliant and beautifully balanced piece. Vitis crystal comes in a handsome Riedel box and makes a superb gift for the wine connoisseur. To preserve the clarity of the crystal and avoid stem breakage, the glasses are best washed by hand.--Ann Bieri