When I was a younger, about the age you are right now, I used to drink my wine out of a 4 ounce jelly jar. I used to buy jams and jelly in these jars that had lids that you would need to pry off with a bottle opener. The jar had no decoration on the outer face and the glass was very clear. I was always very careful to gently pry the cover off so I could reuse the metal lid several times.

All of the glasses we had when I was growing up, as a boy, were originally jam or jelly jars in the 8 or 12 ounce size. My mother used to get her “glasses” this way, so I guess it was just something I picked up. So when I was single and got out on my own, when I saw these jars at Safeway, I decided that I would start my glass collection.

When I emptied the jam or jelly, I would wash out the jar and put it on the shelf in the kitchen. People would come over and ask where the glasses were for beer or water or whatever and when I told them, they would always look at the jelly jars and ask, “What are these?” "Those are the wine glasses", I used to say.

It wasn’t until I went to Italy the first time back in 1999 that I saw the 4 ounce jars again sitting on the tables and being used for wine. They were called wine tumblers. Fancy that.

Growing older, I gradually broke all but two of the jelly jars and the company that sold them went out of business, so I needed to find a replacement. I had a part time job in college at a restaurant supply store and they sold cheap wine glasses by the case. I got three cases. These lasted for a long time and when I was no longer in college and my collection was getting down, I was on the prowl for more wine glasses.

I decided on Riedel glasses since they seemed to be “the” wine glass to have. I only got six glasses since a case was over $100 and a little too rich for me at that time. (And still is.) These were very nice glasses but they also broke very easily. Pretty soon I was back out looking for wine glasses.

I went into Pier 1 and found a nice wine glass. It was sturdy, low to the table so it would not tip, and fairly thick. I bought 12 for about $1.50 each.

Since becoming the Wine Editor for Bella Online, I have purchased two magnum Riedel glasses for $7.50 each. They have a nice bowl, a not too long stem and a solid base. We do all of our tasting and wine reviews using these two wine glasses. I have had them for about four months now and so far so good. They are made of glass however. So they are a little more durable than the crystal Riedel I had earlier.

The other day I noticed that there was Free Shipping on All Riedel Glassware and Decanters
and I thought I would pass that along in case you were on the prowl for glasses and want to try some Riedel wine glasses.

Get two or four glasses. Use them for sipping, tasting and testing. Get a cheap dozen at Pier 1 for everyday use and when friends come over to check out your cellar.

Share tips, advice, and opinions with fellow wine aficionados on the Bella Online Wine Forum.

Until next time, let me know what is on your mind, and how you are doing, O.K.?

Oh - have you signed up for our Wine Newsletter?

Jim Fortune - the Bella Online Wine Guy