Matt Skinner, brand ambassador for Plumm, thinks the simplified Wine glass solution has great value in a market filled with lots of product ranges
There are 4 different collections but all are based on the 5 shapes, made in Europe from high-quality crystal. As someone who has used high quality glasses for professional purposes for almost 15 years, and who have witnessed occasions when the bowl has come away from the stem of a glass due to vigorous swirling or during hand drying. The Plumm Vintage range incorporates “pulled stem technology.”
This means that the bowl and stem are one single piece joined at the base of the glass, thus giving the glass greater strength through the stem.
Commenting on the uncomplicated range, which does not require the wine drinker to pull out a different glass for just about every varietal of Wine, the brand ambassador for the Plumm range of stemware, Matt Skinner, says: “With so many choices, I’m not sure if there has ever been a greater need for a practical and affordable range of glasses.” He is a seasoned Sommelier, writer and consultant who moved to the UK in Y 2001 at the request of chef Jamie Oliver to help set up the Fifteen group of restaurants.
Now back in his hometown of Melbourne, Mr. Skinner’s various roles, which include consulting for Jamie’s Italian restaurant group in Australia, involve tasting approximately 200 wines per week.
Consequently, to him, “versatility and durability” are key advantages of the Plumm range, alongside the “simplicity, practicality and affordability” advertised by the brand itself. Such has been the success of the stemware that some of Australia’s top restaurants, including Rockpool, Grossi Florentino, Chin Chin and Icebergs, have adopted the range.
It is also available in New Zealand, China, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, with Singapore recently added to the list of export destinations.
Iconic collections by some of the world’s most revered wine glass makers
BAVARIAN TECHNOLOGY
Founded in Y 1872 in Bavaria, Germany, Zwiesel has become one of the leading international glass specialists. The Diva range of glasses – made with Tritan Protect technology that increases crystal strength to avoid shattering and which improves scratch-resistance – is probably the most well-known. Schott-Zwiesel offers 27 stemware collections, including the Sensa range with a laser-cut spiral in the glass bowl to help aerate wine and enhance aromas.
With a history dating back to Y 1678, Riedel has become synonymous with luxury glassware. Its pace of innovation and development has increased under the relentless leadership of 10th-generation family member Georg Riedel.
He has not only produced grape-specific glasses, but also wine-specific glasses to enhance individual wines such as the Central Otago Pinot Noir glass which was recently added to the range.
The roots of the glassmaking Zalto family go back to Venice but the modern-day success of their stemware comes from the establishment of their company in Neunagelberg, Austria, in Y 2006. Zalto’s renowned Denk’Art range, which is handblown, is all about finesse and delicacy, yet is surprisingly strong and resilient. The shapes are quite angular, inspired by the axis of the earth, but make swirling easy.
The glass edges appear particularly fragile, however the glasses are dishwasher-friendly.
By Suzanne Brocklehurst
Paul Ebeling, Editor
HeffX-LTN