Riedel Sommeliers Collection | Crystal Classics
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Professor Claus J. Riedel 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 consumed. More than 50 years ago he began his pioneering work to create stemware that would match and complement different wines and spirits. In the late 1950s, Riedel started to produce glasses which at that time were a design revolution. Thin-blown, unadorned, reducing the design to its essence: bowl, stem, base. 

Working with experienced tasters, Riedel discovered that wine enjoyed from his glasses showed more depth and better balance than when served in other glasses. Claus J. Riedel laid the groundwork for stemware which was functional as well as beautiful, and made according to the Bauhaus design principle: form follows function. In 1961 a revolutionary concept was introduced, when the Riedel catalogue featured the first line of wine glasses created in different sizes and shapes. Before this, conventional stemware had used a single basic bowl shape, with only the size varying depending on use. 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! We invite you to share this fascinating and unique experience. You don’t need to be a wine writer, a wine maker or an expert to taste the difference that a Riedel glass can make.

SOMMELIERS is executed in lead crystal, mouth blown in Austria.

 

Varietal Specific Designs

"It takes a great deal of efforts for a talented wine-maker to produce a good wine. These efforts can be ruined in no time if the wine is not served properly. The quality of the glass plays a crucial role here and Riedel produces the largest range of high quality glasses, specifically fine-tuned to fit the predominant wine varietals of the planet. Riedel makes it possible to fully appreciate all the nuances of aromas and tastes from the best wines of the world." -Michel Bettane

The Riedel glass designs are based on the exceptional characteristics of each grape variety, which in turn determines the shape, size and rim diameter of the bowl. The latest machine blown technology, in conjunction with the seamless pulled stem, offers a special design feature "architecture", which creates an indent in the bottom of the bowl, reflecting the light and adding another dimension to the lively color of wine.

Crystal Classics Exclusive Handmade Riedel Wine Decanters

Shop an extensive collection of the Riedel wine decanters, and a few of them that are exclusively made for Crystal Classics, not available in any other store.

"I prefer to decant wines, both young and old. It is a sign of respect for old wines and a sign of confidence in young wines. Decanting old wines, just a few moments before they are served, helps to ensure that the wines' clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time. Decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging." - Georg Riedel

 

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