Amazon.com is running a deal on a set of 4 Riedel Vinum Extreme Bordeaux Wine Glasses for $71.99 (save 40%, according to the site). Is this as good a deal as they make it sound?

Edward would be the expert here. I think that 40% is the maximum any retailer can discount Riedels, though.

That seems to be a good price. However I'd suggest you approach this with caution as the last time Amazon had a glassware sale they screwed up orders left and right and took forever to fill some of them. I've never used the extreme series of glassware. The Extreme Bordeaux glass looks like the closest thing to the Sommeliers of any of the Bordeaux glass wanabees. The Extremes are quite a bit less expensive than the Somms (which typically run about $55 and up).

The "regular sale price" (is that an oxymoron) at the stores here in Vancouver is $28CDN per stem, which works out to almost exactly $72USD for 4.

I personally don't care for the Extreme, it weighs a ton. I wouldn't argue that it does not do what it's supposed to do, showcase aroma, but it certainly isn't elegant.

I've actually found that it has a little too much surface area. Maybe that's good for restaurants where you will be consuming the wine quickly, but for relaxed drinking at home, I think it pushes the nose a bit.

Have you got a good friend in the restaurant business. Go the him/her and ask. They're not supposed to do it but maybe you can get some of the new Restaurant Riedels for around $4.00 each. Seven differnet glasses. Not Sommelier quality but very nice.

You didn't hear it here!!!!

(from an anonymous poster)