There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to crystal wine glasses, and it can be overwhelming for wine enthusiasts who are concerned with having “the right” glassware. A common problem is having no specific strategy for purchasing glassware and thus ending up with a mismatched, motley collection.
The Gabriel Glas Gold crystal wine glass did not exist when we started purchasing crystal glassware at KnowWines, but we wish it had.! The Gabriel Glas Gold is our go-to wine glass when enjoying fine wine. If you are looking for one universal wine glass, the Gabriel Glas Gold universal wine glass may be the one for you.
Things to consider before buying Gabriel Glas Gold
Here’s something to consider: purchasing many different sets of fine glassware to fill perceived niches, like “varietal specific glassware,” for example, is generally a waste of money. At the other end of the spectrum, cheap glassware can be disappointing when trying to enjoy a fine wine.
The ideal customer for the Gabriel Glas Gold is someone interested in a universal fine wine crystal glassware with the primary purpose of enjoying a fine wine as a solo enthusiast, as a couple, or with a few key fellow wine lovers. Before buying fine crystal glassware, consider how much you want to spend, aesthetics of the glass, the balance of the glass in your hand, and finally, its construction.
The Gabriel Glas Gold
The Gabriel Glas Gold is mouth-blown crystal stemware. Unlike other fine wine glassware on the market, the Gabriel Glas Gold is constructed of a single piece of mouth-blown glass and is not molded.
The promise of Gabriel Glas is that it is the only wine glass you will need for unbelievable wine enjoyment and for use with any grape varietal. Compared to the market leaders, Gabriel Glas Gold is more decadent and lighter weight.
The product is for
People looking for a universal crystal wine glass for fine wine drinking
People looking for a fine wine glass that is hand blown and not molded - eliminating stress points found on much other glassware
People looking for a fine wine glass that feels like the extension of one’s own hand
The product is not for
People (or their guests) who break glassware easily
People looking for variety-specific glassware
People looking for cheap glassware for entertaining
Gabriel Glas Gold Features & Benefits
This wine glass is also good for people who want one of the lightest, most delicate feeling wine glasses.
When considering fine crystal glassware, consider pleasurability, construction, cost, shape, universality, durability, and ease of cleaning (and make sure it is lead free!).
What’s the pleasure quotient for Gabriel Glas Gold?
We remember the exact moment when we first experienced the Gabriel Glas Gold. It was in a wine shop cellar in St. Emilion, France. We were part of a wine tour, and we stayed behind to continue tasting at ETS Wine Shop.
The shape of the glass caught our eye. We’ve seen a lot of wine glasses, but this one looked particularly sexy and appealing. When we asked to hold the glass, we could not believe how light it was. Then, the wine shop employee had us taste a white Burgundy wine (at the 20 Euro price point) from two well-known and widely-distributed brands of wine glasses, as well as the Gabriel Glas Gold. The Gabriel Glas Gold greatly enhanced the aromas of the wine and the delicate feel of the glass enhanced the overall experience. We felt that the wine, in a Gabriel Glas Gold glass, tasted much finer than a 20 Euro white Burgundy. The glasses were so lightweight, in fact, that they seemed to have a little flex to them. Needless to say, everyone who participated in that little tasting went home with boxes of Gabriel Glas Gold wine glasses.
Why does the shape of the Gabriel Glas Gold matter?
The shape of this wine glass is optimized for inserting your nose into the glass (unlike some glassware, which causes you to contort your neck for this purpose). Getting your nose in the glass is important to appreciate the aromas collecting in the bowl.
In addition to the opening of the bowl, the next thing to pay attention to is the lip. Wine tasting is often a more pleasant experience with a thin lip because there is less interference between the wine and your mouth.
Crystal glassware is also preferred when it comes to wine tasting as it has the clearest transparency with which to admire the wine in the glass. With some molded glassware, you can see where the glassware was sitting in the mold.
The balance of the glassware in your hand also matters. Heavier glassware can feel tired in your hand. It is also sexy to hold a glass of wine and feel like you are just holding the wine in your hands, not a heavy container. This decadent feeling in the hand makes it easier to swirl wines in the glass. The bowl of the Gabriel Glas Gold glass is a generous 95 mm wide at the widest point.
Is the Gabriel Glas Gold a Good Value?
For full disclosure, we have to admit that, in the crystal wine glass world, this is a premium glass, especially since it is handmade and imported from Austria. Like any other luxury purchase, you should consider how often you will be using the item. If this will be your go-to wine glass for years, it’s a great investment when looking at per use cost. That cheap glass sitting in the back of the cabinet is not a good value if it is not getting used!
What are the benefits of mouth-blown glassware?
Handblown glassware differs from molded glassware in that it is almost always constructed of one piece of glass.
Much commercial glassware is comprised of three parts - the bowl, the stem, and the base. Three-part construction can be problematic in that stress points are created at the connection between the glass bowl and stem, and again where the stem meets the base. If you have ever had a wine glass break off at the junction of the bowl and the stem - or at the junction of the stem and the base - then it was likely a molded construction. The Gabriel Glas Gold glass is also lead-free.
How does one clean Gabriel Glas Gold glassware?
The maker says that Gabriel Glas can be washed in the dishwasher. While we’ve never washed this glassware in the dishwasher we would not be afraid to.
Typically, though, we wash the glassware in the sink using hot water, a thin washcloth, and fragrance-free dish detergent. Upon removing the glass from the sink, we quickly rinse the glass and then dry it off with a microfiber cloth and polish it.
We store our Gabriel Glas in our closed cabinet (alongside the other lonely glassware that doesn’t get as much use as it once did!).
If we forget to clean the glass and need to remove any difficult to remove wine deposit, we first use dental appliance cleaner and then clean normally.
How Durable is the Gabriel Glas?
We’ve used this glassware for two years at least weekly, and we’ve yet to have a single glass break or chip. We’ve even placed the Gabriel Glas wine glass inside its original box and taken the box to the beach to enjoy the glassware and special wines with friends.
Gabriel Glas Social Proof
We did a fair amount of online research after two years of pain-free glassware enjoyment. We found that many users shared the same sentiments.
Other users mention that the glassware is pricy but also one of the best wine drinking experiences. An increasing number of sommeliers at fine restaurants are spokespeople for the Gabriel Glas.
Some users report breaking a glass shortly after use. We’ve seen no complaints online regarding quality, only user clumsiness. For those who are afraid to handwash, dishwashing is recommended.
Gabriel Glas Gold Alternatives
Not ready to splurge on the Gabriel Glas Gold? There are a few other glasses available that provide similar experiences with a little difference.
StandArt by Gabriel Glas
So, you’ve read this review and checked out other online reviews that rave about the Gabriel Glas Gold. However, the price is a little steep. Gabriel does offer a molded glass called the StandArt with the same shape but a slightly heavier feel (145 grams per glass compared to 95 grams per glass).
Zalto DenkArt
Several other online reviewers mention the Zalto glassware as a close second to the Gabriel Glas Gold, with a lower price point. We also own this glassware and enjoy it with heavier red wines if the Gabriel Glas Gold is dirty or occupied with another wine. Also, some might feel less less likely to break this glass when washing. If you like your glassware lead-free, dishwasher safe, but want a more widely distributed glass, the Zalto may be for you.
Bella Vino
Still want a lead-free, mouth-blown wine glass that’s made in Europe (this time Switzerland)? Another alternative is the Bella Vino crystal wine glass. In addition to a lower price point, this glass also comes with a limited warranty. We recommend this one in case you are very clumsy with glassware, or have particularly clumsy guests (hey, accidents happen!).
Gabriel Glas Gold Conclusions
Clearly, we are quite partial to our Gabriel Glas Gold glassware. It is the sexiest universal crystal wineglass on the market, in our opinion.
This wine glass is a good option for those enjoying fine wines, as many other crystal glasses on the market are heavier and their weight distracts from the wine drinking experience.
These wine glasses are good for gift giving as any style of wine can be enjoyed. There are different set sizes available (1, 2, 6). We also like the story behind the brand and the fact that they are made in Austria by artisans.
The Gabriel Glas has been durable in the past two years of use. It is easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. We’re surprised that we haven’t broken one! We’ve received many positive comments on the Gabriel Glas when tasting with friends. It’s not going to look like every other piece of glassware on the market.
Check out this wineglass if you are seeking to upgrade your glassware, replace a collection of mismatched glassware, or are seeking a fine wine glass for that special wedding, anniversary, or promotion present. (And for other great wine gifts, check out our ultimate guide to gifts for wine lovers!).
Cheers!