IVDP Port Glasses

[Roy Hersh]

Here's my story, it's sad but true ...

I've spent the last year and a half bursting through doors and never taking no for an answer. I have questioned the IVDP, their old producer of the Siza glasses, Port shippers that carry them, the old USA importer (OHM that was located in Brooklyn and then Manhattan, NY) and when they no longer were involved, got in touch with the new manufacturer Schott Zweissel, who now produces the glasses and they're of a higher quality.

I've been persistent, pugnacious and ultimately stubborn -- unwilling to give up, even when doors have slammed shut. Today I had one of my last conversations on the topic. FINALLY, I was told that SZ has decided that they just are not willing to import these into the USA. They did not have a 3rd party willing to handle the stocking and order fulfillment. I had seen that coming and living in Seattle had used my contacts at a small company based here (a good friend actually works in their upper management) called Amazon.com and knew that they were an alternative. Schott won't sell through Amazon and that was the next to the last straw for me.

Facing defeat squarely in the face ... I came up with one last brilliant idea. I asked SZ to provide me with a delivered cost for an entire pallet load. I know of a local company that can do fulfillment and would be able to handle the glassware the right way. So, I am now waiting for pricing, quantities and ETA ... to see if logistically I can make this work.

This has been a lot of work, for a very thankless and profitless project. Hopefully though, I can drive this home FINALLY and get IVDP logo'd Port glasses here. He mentioned that he was not sure if the IVDP logo was available, but I assured him that they were. We'll see what happens.

I am thinking that to reward FTLOP newsletter subscribers, they might be able to buy them at cost. Still mulling that one over!

[Glenn E.]

Count me in!

I tried to buy the port glasses used at the Solar do Vinho do Porto, which have an etching of the Selo de Guarantia on them, but just as we were preparing to pay my wife noticed that the box displayed un-etched glasses. We asked and were told that they don't sell the etched glasses.

If those are the glasses you're talking about, I'll take a dozen of 'em!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with the process, too.

[Frederick Blais]

H

This has been a lot of work, for a very thankless and profitless project. Hopefully though, I can drive this home FINALLY and get IVDP logo'd Port glasses here. He mentioned that he was not sure if the IVDP logo was available, but I assured him that they were. We'll see what happens.

I am thinking that to reward FTLOP newsletter subscribers, they might be able to buy them at cost. Still mulling that one over!

This is the true meaning of your signature!

[Andy Velebil]

I do hope this works out....why SZ won't bring them in is beyond me. they currently don't have any other "Port" type glass in their line up here in the states. I know one store alone that said they would buy a number of cases for stock if they were brought in.

Do keep us up to date on this...I know I want some.

[Glenn E.]

I wonder if SZ thinks they can't compete with Riedel in the US? I have a handful of the Riedel Port glasses, and they're very nice. Maybe SZ just figures that the US market for Port glasses isn't that big and that Riedel and the other big guns already have it wrapped up?

[Roy Hersh]

Pardon my French, but that would be very ignorant if it were the case. I can't believe that is close to reality though.

[Andy Velebil]

Who knows the real reason, as we will probably never know the full truth. But when it comes to companies and their strange decisions, I've learned not to put anything past them. IMO, I think they are being ignorant NOT bringing them into the country. It would be the only really affordable Port glass, as they run about 1/2 that of the Riedel's and are much more durable for day to day use.

[Roy Hersh]

I must say that I almost never break my Riedel Vinum glasses, even though I always clean and sanitize them in my old dishwasher. The few that have been broken have come at the hand of my wife. That said, Port glasses are a very personal choice and I'd drink out of either, any day of the week. The only glass that I am not fond of is the too-narrow aperture of the Spiegelau Port glass.

[Derek T.]

Roy,

I suspect that these are the very same IVDP branded glasses that I witnessed you drinking from at the Crusting Pipe the very first time we met? If so, I have been envious of them ever since and would love to add a few to my growing collection of port glasses.

If you know where I can find them in the UK/Europe please PM or email me. Alernatively, if there is a safe and reasonably inexpensive way of trasporting them over the Atlantic twice I would be happy to take some off your hands

Derek

[Ronald Wortel]

I do hope this works out....why SZ won't bring them in is beyond me. they currently don't have any other "Port" type glass in their line up here in the states. I know one store alone that said they would buy a number of cases for stock if they were brought in.

Do keep us up to date on this...I know I want some.

Andy, Schott Zwiesel does have a good port glass in their Vinum series. I use them and like them a lot. That said, I'm also a big fan of the IVDP glasses. SZ started carrying them in the Netherlands a while ago. Only to be sold in boxes of 6 (so bugger if you break one) and without the etching. I bought a couple of cases to use at my wedding dinner, and can't wait to use them again once we finally have access to all our stuff again.

Hope the deal with SZ works out Roy!

[Moses Botbol]

I know of a source for importing these in pallets, at very attractive prices. I can not comment further, but stay tuned as these will be much less than Riedel's Vinum port glasses. They should be available on the market mid-summer.

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

How many are in an “entire pallet load”?

[Rich N.]

Roy,

I'm not sure if you ever finalized on the IVDP Port Glasses, but I'm in the market for a "bunch" of Port Glasses - at least 50. Let me know.

Thanks,
Rich N.

[Glenn E.]

I managed to acquire a set of 6 of these while I was in Portugal. The story as told to me by the shopkeeper is that the IVdP won't sell them to consumers - only to "professionals" which apparently includes shopkeepers. This particular shopkeeper was more than happy to get a box for me, though.

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

Marjorie Lumm’s Wine Glasses
2101 Northeast Jack London Street
Corvallis OR 97330-6916

+1 800 806 0677
http://www.wineglassesltd.com (which hasn’t been updated since a change of address, though phone number still works)

ISO wine glass = INAO wine glass cost $2.25 each in boxes of thirty-six (as of Dec 2007).

[Glenn E.]

Are those the branded glasses, or just the generic ones?

Mine are branded, which is what I'd been looking for. The generic ones are nice, but for just plain crystal I greatly prefer the Riedel Vinum glasses. (Of course, the Riedel glasses are significantly more expensive, too...)

Of note, most of the Port lodges that we toured this year were now selling their own branded versions of the new (square stem) IVdP Port glasses.

[Moses Botbol]

Our shared container had several broken glasses, so we did not take ownership of it. Working on plan b for our second attempt.

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

Marjorie Lumm’s are the INAO-type unbranded round-stem glass. ISO shape; clear glass; not quite perfectly made; and the lip is a mite too thick. But if nine of you are sharing eleven ports, you need many glasses, and at $2¼ each they are just the ticket. Ninety-nine Riedels would cost a pretty penny more.

[Andy Velebil]

I managed to acquire a set of 6 of these while I was in Portugal. The story as told to me by the shopkeeper is that the IVdP won't sell them to consumers - only to "professionals" which apparently includes shopkeepers. This particular shopkeeper was more than happy to get a box for me, though.

Glenn,
Those you got have the IVDP Selo on them and were made by the original company that prodcued them, they are now produced by Schott Zwesell (sp?). The newer version, which is the same shape, can be bought all over Oporto and V.n.d.G. now, mainly in 6 packs but I did see some 12 packs. I'm guessing its because of the Selo etched on them that the IVDP only sells them to higher end wine stores. Very cool looking glasses though, as the the Selo seal # is the date of the demarcation IIRC.

[Andy Velebil]

Marjorie Lumm’s Wine Glasses
2101 Northeast Jack London Street
Corvallis OR 97330-6916

+1 800 806 0677
http://www.wineglassesltd.com (which hasn’t been updated since a change of address, though phone number still works)

ISO wine glass = INAO wine glass cost $2.25 each in boxes of thirty-six (as of Dec 2007).

Just keep in mind for those that have been to Portugal and used the square stem style ones....these are NOT those. I've used the ones listed and they work well when a very large number of glasses is needed. They do have a thicker glass rim and a rolled edge (IIRC) but are very sturdy and you can throw them all in the dishwasher and not have to worry about breakage. And at the price are a good QPR value for large offlines or parties.