| What can we learn from a Riedel (rhymes with | | | | Bordeaux glasses draw wine to the areas of the |
| "needle") glass? That size matters, as does | | | | tongue that perceive sweetness, emphasizing the |
| shape? That form following function has meaning | | | | fruit and mellowing the acidity. The large bowls |
| for wine-lovers as well as designers? Or perhaps | | | | provide room for the wine's rich bouquet to |
| the deeper lesson that the contents of an | | | | unfold. Each glass stands 8-7/8 inches high and |
| outwardly "plain" glass may provide a more | | | | holds 21-1/2 ounces of wine. --Cristina Vaamonde |
| sensual, complex, and rewarding experience than | | | | Technical Details |
| those of a superficially beautiful one? The Austrian | | | | -Six glasses for young, full-bodied red wines |
| Riedel family has been involved with glass-making | | | | -Glass design enhances taste of wines such as |
| since 1756, but it was two centuries later that | | | | Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja |
| Claus Riedel conceptualized a glass made | | | | -Machine-made, 24-percent lead crystal |
| specifically to enhance the flavors and aromas of | | | | -Made in Bavaria by world's premier wine glass |
| a designated wine. Through an involved process | | | | maker |
| each style of glass is crafted to accentuate the | | | | -8-7/8 inches tall; capacity of 21-1/2 ounces |
| strengths, while minimizing the weaknesses, of a | | | | Customer Reviews |
| particular spirit. This is done through changes in | | | | "Great wines glasses...not so fragile" |
| the size and shape of the bowl, the diameter of | | | | By I. Barbosa |
| the opening and the cut and polished lip which | | | | I have >100 Riedels and I use them as my |
| directs the wine towards a specific area of the | | | | everyday wine glasses. I love the difference it |
| tongue. Small wonder Riedel stems are preferred | | | | makes on the tasting of the wines. I have now |
| by sommeliers and oenophiles world wide for their | | | | done several demonstrations for my friends and |
| ability to transform the perception of a wine. | | | | they all agree that it really enhances the |
| Austria's Riedel is the world's premier | | | | experience of tasting the wines. |
| manufacturer of wine glasses. Made of | | | | As to their fragility...I have only broken 2 - a |
| 24-percent lead crystal, the Vinum series of | | | | chardonnay and a burgundy one. I think those are |
| glasses are the first machine-made wine glasses | | | | more fragile. |
| to be developed uniquely for each type of wine. | | | | I do handwash them, use very little soap and |
| Since their introduction in 1986, these wine glasses | | | | really only rub the rims...and most of the time I |
| have had a large influence on the wine culture. | | | | wash them right after the party. I find my |
| The glasses in this set of six were specifically | | | | experience very different than some of the |
| shaped to highlight the fruit in young, full-bodied | | | | comments |
| red wines with high levels of tannin, such as | | | | "They are the best" |
| Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, | | | | By S. Miller |
| Merlot, Rioja, and Tempranillo. The mouths of the | | | | What more can I say they are Riedel. |