Review of Riedel Vinum Syrah/Rhone Wine Glasses, Set of 6

We currently live in France, a country where wine is etched into the national consciousness. We invited some French friends over to compare Australian and French wines of the same grape varieties (chardonnay, cabernet, merlot), but didn't have enough Riedel glasses to go around. Some of us were consistently rating wines lower - and then we realised that they had the non-Riedel glasses. A quick tour of the table with the same wine in the two types of glass convinced everybody of the merits of this glassware. A TIP ON WASHING: one pain is the need to hand-wash these glasses. A sommelier gave us the tip that to avoid breaking Riedels while washing, do not hold the stem to turn the glass while cleaning it. Hold the whole bowl with one hand, while using a wash cloth with the other.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riedel Vinum Syrah/Rhone Wine Glasses, Set of 6

Product Description:
As seen in American Way:This shape was developed between 1993 and 1995 following tastings in the major Syrah growing regions, when most influential winemakers contributed their views on how the message of their wines should be put across.The wines made from the Australian grape variety Shiraz, give a deep purple, almost inky color. The nose resembles intense, rich blackberry aromas. The flavors on the palate show mouthfilling fruit, massive structure and a long, sweet finish. The shiraz/syrah glass highlights the tannins, offering a perfect balance with the overwhelming concentrated fruit.Each of these magnificent glasses is specifically designed to enhance a wine's flavor and bouquet. By customizing the shape of the glass to the characteristics of each grape variety, the wine is able to achieve its fullest expression. Elegance, lightness, and balance are the hallmarks of Riedel stemware. 9 1/4"H, 23 oz. Set of 6.Recommended for: Amarone, Blaufrankisch, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Grenache, Hermitage Rouge, Malbec, Mourvedre, Pinotage, Rhone, Shiraz, Syrah.

Buy NowGet 24% OFF

Review of Riedel Vinum Port Glasses, Set of 6

I just picked up eight of these (Riedel 416/60) and found them to be the least well made Riedel Vinum glasses I've seen. Four of the eight stems had clearly visible casting lines down into the foot, and you could feel the ridge on all but one or two of the glasses.
I am also not fond of the large logo spelling out RIEDEL on the bottom of the glass.I didn't even like the smaller initials they used to use.I want to think about what I'm drinking; I don't need to be reminded who made the stemware.
Like the other Riedel glasses, the port glasses are extremely well balanced.For a glass so short with such a relatively large bowl, a thick, heavy foot is required for balance compared to the other glasses, which get away with relatively thin and light feet due to the leverage of longer stems and wider feet.Like their prestige cuvee champagne glasses, Riedel's port glasses are heavy, which feels nice in the hand, like good silver.
The Riedel port glasses are the preferred shape for port, and can be used for other port-like drinks such as Banyuls (which is a relatively inexpensive, long-lived, grenache-noir-based fortified wine that's worth seeking out, especially for pairing with chocolate).I also use the port glasses for dessert wines of all kinds.This matches what I see in restaurants worldwide and works well for me, even if Riedel has a series of other recommendations for various dessert wines. Riedel's least expensive line of glassware labels this shape simply as "spirits", so it's not a stretch to put them into service for whisky, cognac, etc.
Like all other heavy lead content crystal (24% here), be very careful washing them.Scratchy sponges, abrasive cleaner, grit in the sink, etc., will leave marks.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riedel Vinum Port Glasses, Set of 6

Product Description:
Designed to enhance the rich flavors of Port, these Riedel Vinum Port glasses are a wonderful addition to your stemware collection. Treat your guests to an after-dinner indulgence, with the best stemware brand on the market.

Buy NowGet 19% OFF

Review of Riedel Vinum Gourmet Glasses, Set of 6

These glasses are great for every-day use. Unlike most Reidel it can fit in the dishwasher, and they aren't as likely to get tipped over since they're so short. (They are thin and fairly fragile.) If you're breakingout a $50 bottle of red wine, though, definitely spring for something witha larger bowl.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riedel Vinum Gourmet Glasses, Set of 6



Buy Now

Review of Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Wine Glasses, Set of 6

I've owned >100 Riedel stems over the years and used them for drinking everything from old Bordeaux to Montrachet to Cal cabs to Port.These glasses (and the Vinum Chardonnay, etc.) are beautiful, work extraordinarily well, and are a pleasure to hold.That said, however, they are also very expensive and don't provide any observable advantages over the equivilent Spiegelau stems (Spiegelau Authentis Collection Bordeaux Wine Glasses, Set of 6) at less than half the price.Spiegelau also has the advantage of being _much_ more durable.

If price is no object, by all means buy the Riedel.However, if your real passion is wine (as opposed to glassware), do what I've done, buy the Spiegelau and spend the difference on a few really nice bottles to lay down in your cellar.

Update: Riedel now owns Spiegelau.Seems like the ultimate complement ... "if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em."

And updated again: I've recently started using the Schott Zwiesel Diva Tritan Crystal Cabernet/Merlot/Bordeaux Wine Glasses Set of 6 series glasses (also available on Amazon).They look as nice, and work as well, as the Riedel and Spiegelau but have the added advantage of being cheaper (than Riedel) and almost unbreakaable.My new favorite.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Wine Glasses, Set of 6

Product Description:
What can we learn from a Riedel (rhymes with "needle") glass? That size matters, as does shape? That form following function has meaning for wine-lovers as well as designers? Or perhaps the deeper lesson that the contents of an outwardly "plain" glass may provide a more sensual, complex, and rewarding experience than those of a superficially beautiful one? The Austrian Riedel family has been involved with glass-making since 1756, but it was two centuries later that Claus Riedel conceptualized a glass made specifically to enhance the flavors and aromas of a designated wine. Through an involved process each style of glass is crafted to accentuate the strengths, while minimizing the weaknesses, of a particular spirit. This is done through changes in the size and shape of the bowl, the diameter of the opening and the cut and polished lip which directs the wine towards a specific area of the tongue. Small wonder Riedel stems are preferred by sommeliers and oenophiles world wide for their ability to transform the perception of a wine.

Buy NowGet 15% OFF