GLOBALLY recognized as the trademark of the finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes, Riedel trademark dates from the Art Nouveau period at the end of the 19th century. In 1996, the trademark was introduced for all Riedel’s mouth-blown, hand-made products made in Austria.

The Riedel family has been in the glass business for 300 years, with 11 generations keeping the family business intact.

Claus J. Riedel, of the nineth generation, was the first designer to recognize that the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of wines are affected by the shape of the glass from which they are drunk. In the late 1950s, Riedel started to produce glasses which at that time were a design revolution.

In 1961 a revolutionary concept was introduced when the Riedel catalogue featured the first line of wine glasses created in different sizes and shapes. The concept was illustrated to perfection with the introduction of the Sommeliers series in 1973, which achieved worldwide recognition.

A glass was born that turns a sip into a celebration — a wine’s best friend — fine-tuned to match the grape!

The quality and intensity of aromas are determined not only by the personality of a wine but also by its affinity to the glass shape. Bouquet can only develop properly in a limited temperature range. Low temperatures temper the intensity, whereas high temperatures promote mainly alcoholic fumes.

When the wine is poured, it immediately starts to evaporate and its aromas quickly fill the glass in layers according to their density and specific gravity. Consequently, the size and the shape of the glass can be fine-tuned to the typical aromas of a grape variety.

The lightest, most fragile aromas are those reminiscent of flowers and fruit and these rise right up to the rim of the glass, while the middle fills with green vegetal scents and earthy, mineral components. The heaviest aromas, typically of wood and alcohol, remain at the bottom of the glass.

Every wine has its own unique blend of qualities: fruit, acidity, minerals, tannin, alcohol that are based on the grape variety and the climate and soil on which it is grown. By studying the varietal characteristics, Riedel glasses are able to deliver a wine or spirit to the nose and palate in such a way that it can fully express its personality.

Riedel has always viewed the wine glass as an instrument to bring together the personality of the wine, smell, taste, and appearance. The initial contact point depends on the shape and volume of the glass, the diameter of the rim, and its finish as well as the thickness of the crystal.

(By courtesy of ASC Fine Wines)