Kitchen Aid Cookware: Ravenscroft Crystal Amplifier Cabernet Glass, Set of 4 Review

I own a variety of Wine stems from a few makers including some of the "Finest" in the industry from higly regarded makers such as Riedel. And a fair number of other collectible fine crystal items.
Further, I have sampled many other fine wine stems on various occasions.

Arguably, Riedel is considered one of the finest for glass stems and a high benchmark standard in the industry. And I can't argue. I think they produce a fine product and I have been happy with the Riedel crystal I own.
However, Riedel's truly nice stems are VERY expensive.

I recently came across some very positive reviews of Ravenscroft's products and was very interested in the design of the Amplifier Cabernet.

I had recently sampled some fine red wines in a similar design with a large bowl that tapered to a smaller rim.
The design is highly effective at focusing the bouquet of the wine which adds a noticeable added level of enjoyment and appreciation when drinking a nice wine.

I could not find ANY retailer in the Houston, Texas area that carries the Ravenscroft line.

So, I ordered a set of 4 of the Ravenscroft Amplifier Cabernet stems.

As soon as they arrived and I removed from the well packaged box, I was instantly blown away.

The glass is quite light and delicate, but very "fine" and just SEXY - GORGEOUS!

Ravenscroft advertizes the benefits of using lead-free crystal - Claiming that lead can often leach into your drinks - which is hazardous and affects the flavor.

I honestly don't know about that - maybe so.
I have always been under the impression that leaded crystal was considered the finest. However, after receiving the Ravenscroft Amplifier Cabernet, I can personally say that Ravenscroft's crystal seems EVERY BIT as fine as some of my finest leaded crystal and in many cases the Ravenscroft crystal seems much nicer overall.

Quality of "crystal" aside, I also feel Ravenscroft's quality of craftsmanship was at among the highest I have seen for wine stems. And again, I find this Amplifier Cabernet stem to be one of the nicest wine stems I have come across AND easily my favorite for drinking out of.

Compared to MANY wine stems I have used over the years, in my opinion, the Ravenscroft Amplifier Cabernet stem is significantly superior in quality, shape and over-all presentation of itself AND of wine.

While Riedel may still be a very worthy "Benchmark" in the industry, I am INSTANTLY blown away by this product from Ravenscroft and compared to the best wine stems I have seen in the industry including the finest pieces from Riedel. I am familiar with Riedel's Sommeliers, Vitas, Vinum, Vinum Extreme and similar lines. In my opinion, only the Vitis and Sommeliers series "might" compare in quality, but I consider Ravenscroft:

*As nice in quality as the "finest" I have seen and handled from other makers,
*BETTER designs than most I have seen with the Amplifier Cabernet becoming an instant "FAVORITE"!,
*And a MUCH better value compared to other comparable quality stems.

I honestly wouldn't pay the high prices for Riedel's Vitis and Sommeliers level stems.
Ravenscroft offers at least as nice and in many ways NICER product than Reidel's highest priced lines (Vitis and Sommeliers) and at a price less than even the Vinum Series - with Ravenscroft's stems being significantly nicer than Riedel's Vinum and Vinum Extreme series (in my opinion).I will MOST likely have to purchase more of these stems as gifts eventually.
I expect quite a few people to "Covet" mine.

The pictures do NOT do the glass justice. You really need to "Experience" the glass to fully appreciate!

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Product Description:

With a narrow chimney and wide base, the Ravenscroft Crystal Amplifier Cabernet glass will magnify, focus and intensify the bouquet of your favorite cabernet.You will describe the amplification effect of this glass as exciting and racy.

Experience the incredible luxury of Ravenscroft Crystal.

Ravenscroft Crystal combines the qualities of old-world European craftsmanship with a modern understanding of how the shape of a wine glass can significantly enhance the tasting experience. Ravenscroft glassware designs are developed out of the deepest respect for great wine and are hand blown in nearly 30 different styles; each of which are the result of thousands of years of glass making trial-and-error. Their ultimate goal is to enhance the bouquet and taste of the wine or spirit for which it was made.

The world's most famous enologist, once said, "A wine glass should be invisible." In this spirit, Ravenscroft's mission is to produce the most transparent, lightweight wine glasses possible. Their delicate stemware delivers a whisper-light, sensuous hand and mouth feel. Each glass is shaped to perfectly control the palate attack, delivering a pure essence with minimal distraction.

"Pure, Clean Crystal" Over the past four decades, wine and spirits glass design has experienced a renaissance. Recently, scientists discovered the dangers of lead crystal, most significantly when storing wine and spirits for an extended period in decanters, allowing lead to leach into the contents. Originally, lead oxide was added to glassware as a manufacturing aid. Now, technology has progressed to the point where the addition of lead delivers little or no value to the wine enthusiasts' experience. Despite increasingly stronger industry warnings, several of the world's top stemware manufacturers continue to use lead in production.

Ravenscroft Crystal's time has come. The public now understa

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