Editorial Review:

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.

Amazon.com Review:
When you first hear of the philosophy behind Austrian glassmaker Riedel and its Vinum line of machine-made full-crystal stemware, you can be forgiven for raising your eyebrows higher than prices of white Burgundy. The tongue is divided into four zones, each recognizing either sweetness, bitterness, saltiness, or acidity and that by matching the size and shape of the glass to specific wines, their sensory attributes can be enhanced? Fortunately, with the Riedel Vinum series Chardonnay glass, the company has put its Montrachet where its mouth is and come up with a design to please not only Chardophiles, but also fans of Chenin, Viognier, the Pinot brothers--Gris and Blanc--even noble rotters from Sauternes. A Pacific Northwest Chard tasted in both the Riedel and what was previously thought to be 'the good crystal' revealed a balanced acidic brightness in the former and a sort of boozy flabbiness in the latter. With its medium-height bowl and tapered opening, the Vinum Chardonnay glass almost forces you to purse your lips, directing the wine to the mid-tongue's acid receptors and thereby balancing the wine's fruit and oak. --Tony Mason









Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

---

Related Items:
     see more

Related Items:

• Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Wine Glasses, Set of 6
• Riedel Vinum Burgundy/Pinot Glasses, Set of 4
• Riedel Vinum Bordeaux/Cabernet Glasses, Set of 4
• Riedel Vinum Champagne/Prestige Cuvee Glasses, Set of 6
• Riedel Vinum 6 Plus 1 Gift Set
• see more

---

Rating: - Riedel Vinum Chardonnay/Chablis Wine Glasses, Set of 6
What's not to like? Set of replacement glasses for confirmed white wine drinkers. Order delivered as promised in perfect condition.

---

Rating: - Quality counts
* I have recently began appreciating fine wine and high quality crystal does make a difference. The purchase was simple and the stemware arrived flawless. I commend both Riedel and Amazon on a job well done. ...

---

Rating: - Beautiful glasses
I am not an oenophile and actually prefer the sweet wines. However, these glasses have helped me appeciate the dryer whites better. The tastes seems to be more complex and I no longer focus on the dryness of the wine.
The glasses themselves are beautiful. They look very delicate but have thus far survived multiple dinners and hand-washings. I received many compliments on them.
These glasses have helped this novice appreciate a wider range of white wines. They are expensive and I feel my heart race whenever anyone brushes too close to them. But they are worth the money.

---

Rating: - The Best Wine Glass
* This wine glass is great for several reasons. First of all, it is very light. Second, you know how much wine to pour (pour to the widest point in the bowl and that is a \"glass\" of wine). The balance of the glass is good. We also have the burgundy wine glass; however my wife prefers her red wine in the chardonnay glass because she doesn't like to hold the big burgundy glass. If you are only going to purchase one type of wine glass, I would recommend this one. ...

---

Rating: - Does Taste and Smell Different
It is clear to me that these glasses do make a real difference. They make a difference in smell, taste and touch. Seeing that much of wine tasting IS the smell (not just when smelling, but also when drinking), it is no surprise that a different smell leads to a different "taste".

As for taste, when drinking, this type of glass does flow the wine more directly on the tongue, which also leads to a different initial taste (which is one reason to move the wine around). However, the initial taste is more pronounced on the drinking experience.

The fine lip is nice -- not too thin so that you worry about chipping it and swallowing glass pieces, like some of our fine crystal, and not so wide that you think you are biting on a block of wood. The texture is nice, too.

However, I find it harder to swish the wine in these glasses. They seem a bit top-heavy when swishing (but are finely balanced for drinking). It has an advantage of rising on the glass walls and leaving tears for analysis, but I would rather have a more balanced swish so that I can smell it better.

We use a mix of glass types and, depending on the approach (e.g., simple enjoyment or more analytical), will choose the glass accordingly. Still, there is no argument that these glasses make a real difference.