The Rise of Riedel
No, it’s not pronounced rye-del or ray-del, but ree (like a reed) duhl (like that brass is dull) Riedel. How was is that this glass company came to garner the respect of every wine aficionado? Hard work, great marketing, a great product, and a passion for the vision that the Riedel family had. For example when asked by Robert Mondavi what he did, Georg Riedel replied,
“I’m the glassmaker from Austria, and I am going to change the way you think about wineglasses.” He proceeded to explain to a skeptical Mondavi the scientific engineering that went into different wineglass shapes and how they were customized to show off the attributes of the different grape varieties such as chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
With a little help from some of the world’s best wineries and an influential wine critic, this name has become synonymous with fine glassware. Felicia Sherber, author of “The Unofficial Guide to Selecting Wine” and soon to be released “What’s My Wine?” writes in to the New Jersey Record discussing the benefits of Riedel stemware.
Read [Northjersey.com]
Riedel Glas Austria [riedel.com]
K & L Wines [klwines.com] (carries a nice selection of Riedel’s)
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:14 pm
I suppose the different shapes could make a difference with different varietals but there is no way I am going to stock up on 10 different shaped glasses. I have one favorite shape (the Ouverture Magnum that is about 8 inches tall and holds about 18 ounces). Not too tall, not too small, not too big and I got them at Jungle Jims for about $6 a stem on close out. I went back a month later to get more but they were long gone.
I even like the larger glass for Ports, Madeira’s and Sherry’s so that I can get maximum aroma.
Keep swirling!
jens at cincinnati wine garage
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:03 pm
Jens,
I don’t know if anyone has room for 10 different glasses in sets of four.
I’ve heard Robert Parker uses a 13 - 14oz glass. I’ve been told the best all-a-round glass from Riedel is the Vinum Zinfandel, which I believe falls into about Parkers size.
I personally like the Riedel Ouverture series red wine glass. I’m not to worried about breaking it, and it works great for most weekly varietals I’ve had out of it.