Setting the Table: Riedel Sommeliers Wine Glasses

In 1973, in Orvieto, Italy, Claus Riedel presented the world's first gourmet glass series developed with the help of the Association of Italian Sommeliers. Since then the world of wine has changed radically. Today, regions and continents are producing wines that didn't exist or were unknown 25 years ago.

The Sommeliers series was developed further by Claus' son Georg, into an all-embracing state-of-the-art wine glass collection. Praised in 1991 by Robert Parker, Jr., publisher of The Wine Advocate, as "The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make."

Thanks to worldwide demand, Sommeliers is now the wineglass benchmark and the most successful series of hand-made glasses in the world. Each glass is individually made: the upper parts blown into a mold, and the stem and base hand-crafted using methods developed thousands of years ago. Sommeliers are executed in over 24% lead crystal, and sold by the single stem.

Riedel crystal is used by fine restaurants all over the world and thus must stand up to frequent trips through a dishwasher. But because lead crystal has a soft, coarse surface to convey intense aromas, Riedel recommends the glasses be hand washed.

	Bordeaux Grand Cru — Visually impressive, this gigantic glass was developed in 1959 to enhance the flavor of younger Bordeaux region wines. The glass shape is specifically intended to intensify the texture and blend the acidity with the sweet tannins in wines such as red Bordeaux, Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Grosso, and Tempranillo. The large bowl brings out the depth of contemporary wines in the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot families and allows room for rich layers of aroma to unfold in both young and more mature wines. The glass weighs a substantial 14 ounces and holds 30-3/8 ounces of wine. It stands 10-5/8 inches high with a 4-inch wide bowl.
	Maxi Bordeaux Grand Cru — Describing this glass as huge is an understatement: At 16 inches tall, the glass, when placed on the floor, stands just below the knee of a person of average height. The bowl is about the size of a cantaloupe and has a capacity of 109 ounces (over four full bottles of wine). Rather than simply be a conversation piece for collectors, this glass is meant to be used and, despite its gigantic size, the glass's 1½-pound weight and exquisite balance make drinking from it manageable.
	Burgundy Grand Cru — Visually impressive, this gigantic glass is on permanent display at New York's Museum of Modern Art for its innovative design, which was developed in 1958. The glass is specifically shaped to highlight the fruit in certain red wines — Burgundy Grand Cru, Barbaresco, Barolo, Beaujolais Grand Cru, Blauburgunder, red Burgundy, Gamay, Nebbiolo, and Pinot Noir--while using the acidity for balance, presenting a three-dimensional flavor. The glass has the unique ability to enhance the taste of an outstanding wine and also to reveal any weaknesses in a lesser quality wine. The large bowl allows room for the wine's rich bouquet to unfold. The flared lip emphasizes the fruitiness of the wine by directing the wine to the front of the palate. The glass weighs a substantial 14 ounces and holds 37 ounces of wine. It stands 9¾ inches high with a 4¾-inch wide bowl.
	Zinfandel/Riesling Grand Cru — The classic design of this glass is understated enough for an after-work glass of wine and elegant enough to dress a holiday table. The glass is specifically shaped to balance the high acidity and sugars in white wines such as Riesling (late harvest), Zinfandel, Beaujolais Nouveau, Gewürztraminer, Vouvray, Chianti, and Bardolino. Each glass weighs a substantial 10 ounces and holds 13¼ ounces of wine. It stands 8-7/8 inches high with a 3-inch wide bowl.
	Montrachet/Chardonnay — This glass is specifically shaped to balance the fruit and acidity in white wines such as Chardonnay, Montrachet, white Burgundy, New World Chardonnay, Pouilly-Fuisse, and Meursault. The wide mouth is intended to draw wine to the edges of the tongue, which are more sensitive to sourness. The wide bowl gives room for the wine's rich bouquet to unfold without becoming too intense. Each glass weighs a substantial 11 ounces and holds 17¾ ounces of wine. It stands 7-7/8 inches high with a 4-inch wide bowl.
	Sommeliers 79 3/8-Ounce Decanter — The Sommeliers magnum decanter is suitable for wines that require substantial aeration and has a wider base than neck in order to expedite the oxidation process. The decanter has an eye-catching design with a rounded base and sloping sides that culminate into a 4-inch-long neck with a ridged spiral of glass winding around it. The glass spiral not only adds an attractive accent but also provides a more secure grip around the decanter's neck during pouring. This decanter is handmade of mouth-blown full lead crystal, which shows wine's natural brilliance and clarity. The decanter stands 9 inches tall, is 8 inches wide at its base, and holds 79-3/8 ounces or the equivalent of two full bottles of wine.
	Wine Glass Travel Case — When you travel, take your Riedel glassware with you safely and securely. The Riedel travel case has a double-snap hand grip, lockable zipper, and adjustable shoulder strap. This lightweight case comfortably holds three Riedel glasses.

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Setting the Table: Glassware

Riedel Sommeliers

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