Professor Claus J. Riedel was the first stemware 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.

Years ago he began his trail blazing 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.

Working with experienced wine tasters, Riedel discovered that wine enjoyed from his glasses showed more depth and better balance than when served in other glasses. Riedel laid the groundwork for stemware which was functional as well as beautiful.

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 world famous Sommeliers series in 1973. 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.

GENERAL RULES WHEN PICKING GLASSWARE

The glasses are designed to emphasize a wine’s better attributes, not faults. Riedel has always viewed the wine glass as an instrument to bring together: the personality of the wine, smell, taste and appearance.

To fully appreciate the different grape varieties and the subtle characteristics of individual wines, it is essential to have a glass that is best suited. The shape is responsible for the quality and intensity of the bouquet and the flow of the wine.

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.

SHAPE
Riedel’s guiding principle: The content determines the shape

SIZE
The size of a glass is important, affecting the quality and intensity of aromas. The breathing space has to be chosen according to the “personality” of the wine or spirit.
Red wines require large glasses, white wines medium-sized glasses and spirits, small ones (to emphasize the fruit character and not the alcohol).

SERVING QUANTITIES
Red wine: four to five ounces
White Wine: three ounces
Spirits: once ounce