DESIGN

Because of our passion for smart first class products – and of course excellent wines, we couldn't resist including ZALTO in our portfolio. A fabulous addition to round off the upscale lifestyle, as we find.

 

The background story

As wine connoisseurs and lovers, we had invested in Riedel sommelier glasses in order to be able to enjoy the good ones appropriately.

One day we were invited to a wine tasting by a recognized sommelier from one of the best restaurants. Of course, the same Riedel glasses that we had bought ourselves were at the table, but he also provided other glasses in which he served the same wines (by the way, we were lucky because he brought some “Grand Cru Classes” from left and right bank of the Gironde). He started with the explanations and descriptions of the first wine, a Margaux, as far as I can remember. These things are of course very interesting, but I’m one of those who prefer to take a good sip right away, especially when the wines are that famous. In this case, however, I had to be patient and when he asked us to smell all the aromas, I found it really amazing and interesting how much more intensely I could perceive them in the second glass. Even more surprising was the fact that the taste of every wine tasted that evening was significantly better. It was like drinking a similar wine, but a better year or the big brother, or a higher and more expensive wine from the same vineyard. The fact that the second glass (a ZALTO Bordeaux glass by the way) not only looked better but felt much lighter and more comfortable at that time was not as important to us as the significant improvement in taste.

When I shared this experience a few days later with my “old” friend Leo Karner, one of Austria´s best and most famous racing cyclists of the 70s and a real wine lover, he smiled and explained to me that he was only drinking from ZALTO glasses. I’ve learned why this glass is the best on the market and recommended by wine journalists like Robert Parker. It is much lighter, more flexible and made without lead, which means a much higher melting point, resistance to clouding and still washable in the dishwasher (not a standard for mouth-blown glasses). The development of the Denk`Art series was as influenced by the earth as by the universe beyond. The curve of the bowls is tilted at the angles of 24°, 48° and 72°, which are in accordance to the tilt angles of the Earth. The ancient Romans utilized this triumvirate of angles with their supply repositories, finding that produce stayed fresh for a longer time, and that it also showed improved taste. Due to these cosmic parallels, ZALTO believes that a wine can reach its utmost potential in a Denk`Art glass, developing everything that is possible in the nose as well as on palate, due to these cosmic parallels.

My decision was made and I had to get to know the manufacturers personally. A few days later I had a meeting with the ZALTO owners and a few hours later we agreed to distribute the glasses in Spain. We now supply famous restaurants like El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Danni Garcia or wine producers like Bodegas Izadi, just to give a few examples.

Mouth blown handicraft in absolute perfection

ZALTO was founded in 2006 in the Austrian town of Neu-Nagelberg (Gmünd district). The Zalto family comes from a long line of artisans who are dedicated to the manufacture of glass and whose roots go back to Venice. Technical perfection is the basic principle of the ZALTO GLASS MANUFACTURY. It´s glasses have always been produced following a tradition of engaging only the most highly skilled glass-blowers working with a selection of the best raw materials. This tradition, and the resulting fineness of each glass, echoes the delicate virtuosity of the great Venetian glass artists of the Renaissance. The development of the ZALTO DENK`ART collection is influenced by the capacious knowledge of the priest Hans Denk, who has spent decades in the study and tasting of wines, and was one of the most valued and inspirational wine experts in Austria. With the brand Denk`Art we pay homage to the mentor of these remarkable glasses. Clear supremacy of the development of taste and bouquet, as Father Denk himself has put it, are the advantages of the series Denk`Art; a fact which has been attested to by well-known sommeliers and wine connoisseurs around the world. The Zalto Denk’Art occur without the addition of lead oxide which gives them greater resistance to opacity. This is the reason that Zalto recommend washing your glasses directly in the dishwasher.

Expert Opinions

The luminaries of Austrian and international wine culture are persuaded by ZALTO DENK`ART:

“The Denk`Art glass is fleet-footed, very elastic and despite the almost delicate working, surprisingly break-proof. Furthermore, it makes a great visual impact, is contemporary and all features considered superior to all other glasses.” 
Heinz Reitbauer, patron of the “Chef’s Hat-crowned” restaurants “Meierei”/Steirereck” and “Pogusch” 

“The glass is the repository for the content. Water, wine, sparkling wine and beer are processed to an unsurpassable indulgence by the new Denk`Art series.” 
Toni Mörwald, world famous chef

“Great wines develop even better in the new Denk`Art glass – a great enrichment for the entire glass- and wine-world!“ 
Franz Hirtzberger, chairman of “Vinea Wachau“ 

“I didn’t think, that there would be anything better on the glass-market … this glass is. Moreover, it has some erotic touch …” 
Francois Mauss, president of the “Grand Jury European”

“For us the burgundy-glass by Hans Denk –Denk`Art- is the most ingenious glass for Grüner Veltliner. Especially for more mature, particularly premium and concentrated `Smaragd`-wines. For the wine it creates an enamel, profound fruit and elegance in implausible extent. We are enthusiastic.” 
Rudolfine and F.X. Pichler, winemakers from the Wachau

 

 

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