RIEDEL
RIEDEL Crystal is a 300 year-old family owned company known for the creation and development of varietal-specific stemware.
THE WINE GLASS COMPANY
RIEDEL Crystal was the first in history to recognize that the taste and aroma of a beverage is affected by the shape of the vessel from which it is consumed, and has been recognized for its revolutionary designs complementing alcoholic beverages and other drinks.
Founded in 1756 and pioneering varietal-specific stemware since 1958, RIEDEL has become the brand of choice for wine connoisseurs and drink specialists, hospitality professionals and consumers globally.
RIEDEL glassware is distributed worldwide and can be found at selected retailers and fine dining destinations.
RIEDEL VELOCE
Looks and feels handmade! This glass collection is, in fact, produced by machine, using state-of-the-art technologies and is a true precision tool.
Wine-lovers the world over understand that RIEDEL wine glasses are developed in different shapes and sizes, for specific grape varieties. Only such advanced machine production can guarantee such precise glass design language, in harmony with the respective profile of the grape variety.
RIEDEL COLLECTIONS AT A GLANCE
The Riedel Trademark
The RIEDEL Trademark dates from the Art Nouveau period at the end of the nineteenth century
THE ARCHITECTURE OF STEMWARE
The design of a stemmed glass must ensure that the size, height and width are in perfect harmony
HANDMADE / HAND-FINISHED
The origin of blown glassware dates back 2000 years. The Romans were the first to use this technique
SELECTING THE RIGHT RIEDEL GLASS
RIEDEL offers the option of varietal specific glasses or wine friendly glasses
The Riedel Trademark
The RIEDEL Trademark dates from the Art Nouveau period at the end of the nineteenth century and was used for RIEDEL glassware made in Bohemia from 1890 to 1925. In 1996, to commemorate RIEDEL‘S 240th anniversary, we reintroduced this trademark for all our hand-made/hand-finished, products.
The distinctive Riedel signature is now featured on the base of all handmade/hand-finished products. This signature trademark helps our customers to distinguish immediately between handmade/hand-finished products and those made by machine. Our machine-made products carry this trademark. The RIEDEL glass dynasty is built on the creative energies of a long line of glassmakers. The story begins in 1756 in Bohemia and continues right down to the united Europe of today, taking in some of the most dramatic events in European history along the way.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF STEMWARE
The design (architecture or construction) of a stemmed glass must ensure that the size, height and width are in perfect harmony. The size of the bowl has to be in proportion to the height of the stem and the width of the base. Respecting the exact ratio between these dimensions ensures the glass is correctly and seamlessly proportioned. Tabletop "classics" are composed using the magic "golden architectural formula". Early glass architecture, around 1920, took the lead, spearheaded by three Viennese architects (Loos, Hoffmann, Ertl). Claus J. Riedel’s designs from the late 1950s, re-established and took on this concept, which when combined with influence from French and Irish classics resulted in stemware featuring this "construction", which is so pleasing to the eye.
HANDMADE / HAND-FINISHED
The origin of blown glassware dates back 2000 years. The Romans were the first to use this technique. At RIEDEL, in Kufstein, we produce hand-made and hand-finished crystal glassware. Each handmade and hand-finished item is individually crafted/hand-finished by our master glassmakers.
The expertise of these craftsmen guarantees that the quality of each glass meets the high standard for which our brand is known. Because of the handcrafting/hand-finishing, small tolerances in the size and weight of each glass, tiny bubbles/ imperfections and slight surface variations are a feature and an acceptable part of the process.
SELECTING THE RIGHT RIEDEL GLASS
RIEDEL offers the option of either "varietal specific" glasses, for dedicated wine lovers, or "wine friendly" glasses, for informal wine drinkers. When choosing a grape varietal specific RIEDEL glass, consider that it is designed for, and performs as its best with, a specific type of wine. A grape varietal specific RIEDEL glass is a wine instrument - "key to wine" - shaped to unlock the most elusive characteristics.
Visit our Wine Glass Guide to identify the right glass for your wine.
How much to invest in one glass?
Plan to invest in one glass the same amount as you would normally spend on a bottle of wine.
Is there one glass for all my wines?
The most versatile shapes for red and white wines are our RIEDEL Wine Friendly Magnum and the Vinum Riesling Grand Cru, but please remember, the shape does matter for maximum intensity and total wine enjoyment.
Does one glass fit all? How can each shape provide a unique experience for my wine?
One glass can never provide the optimum experience for all styles of wine. A wine’s bouquet, taste, balance and finish are all influenced by the shape of the glass from which it is consumed. A wine will display very different characteristics when served in different glass shapes. These differences can be so great, that even experienced wine connoisseurs have believed that they are tasting as many different wines as there are different glasses. RIEDEL has created shapes that specifically enhance a wine’s harmony and highlight its unique characteristics. Grape varietals carry in their DNA unmistakable flavor profiles, which add to the importance of selecting the appropriate glass.
Wines have two, three or four flavor contributors which are associated with the fermentation.
Two flavor contributors: floral white wines - aroma and taste are dominated by fermented grape juice and the flavor of yeast.
Recommended: RIESLING GRAND CRU (13-3/8oz, 380ccm)
Three flavor contributors: oak-aged white wines - aroma and taste are dominated by fermented grape juice, the flavor of yeast, and oak influence (malolactic fermentation, gentle wood flavors combined with aging and aeration).
Recommended: MONTRACHET/CHARDONNAY (18-3/8oz, 520ccm)
Four flavor contributors: oak-aged red wines - aroma and taste are dominated by fermented grape juice, the flavor of yeast, maceration (fermentation of skin and juice) and oak influence (malolactic fermentation, gentle wood flavors combined with aging and aeration).
Recommended: CABERNET (30-3/8oz, 860ccm)