Riedel Wine Glass Buying Guide
Riedel is a world-leading manufacturer of wine glasses and decanters.
They're dedicated to creating unique, machine made and hand-crafted glassware that will never disappoint.
About Riedel
Riedel has been producing wine glasses for over 265 years.
It all began in 1756, when the genius Mozart was born, the first wine region in Portugal was registered, and Casanova escaped from the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
Maria Theresa ruled as Empress of the Austrian empire and there were signs of an impending storm in Europe.
Their ranges extend from entry-level to top-quality, with, of course, a range of price tags!
Which is the right Riedel glass for me?
There isn't a simple answer! Riedel produces both varietal-specific glasses and more wine-friendly glasses for casual drinking.
Riedel suggests spending as much on a glass as you would on a bottle of wine!
Use The Riedel Shop's (our!) Match the Glass tool to find which Riedel wine glass is perfect for the wine of your choice.
Keep reading to find our Riedel wine glass range comparison table below!
How does wine glass shape make a difference?
The shape of the glass affects the wine's taste, balance and bouquet, and wines will show very different characteristics from different glasses!
Riedel wine glasses are designed specifically for the wine, so that you can enjoy it to its maximum.
Some wines need a larger bowl to show off their complex aromas, others will fare better in a smaller glass, some benefit from a glass lip that flares out a bit, while others show better with a wine glass lip that curves in a bit.
Varietal-specific glasses are designed with three variables: shape, size and rim diameter, all of which affect the bouquet, texture, flavour and finish of the wine. Depending on how close or far your nose is from the wine itself, you will taste the wine differently. Depending on how narrow or wide the rim of the glass is, will affect the aromatics of the wine and then its flavour.
We think the most dramatic evidence of the importance of glass size and shape is drinking a Sauvignon Blanc out of a large "Oaked Chardonnay" glass, you can barely taste it. The same wine out of a much smaller, appropriately shaped bowl comes to life with bright, fresh citrus and green apple flavours.
Are Riedel wine glasses worth the money?
Of course, the answer is yes, but let's provide a bit of context. Our glasses range from £11 each (or less if you buy a Value Pack) to £100 each. Whilst a £100 glass cannot change the quality of a cheap, poorly made wine, a terrible glass can reduce the appreciation of a very good bottle of wine.
Producing Riedel glassware
Riedel glasses are all hand-crafted from lead-free crystal at their factories in Austria and Germany.
This guarantees the high quality of each individual glass, however it does mean there may be small blips in the size and weight of each glass - this is an acceptable part of the process!
The main Riedel factory is in the idyllic Austrian town of Kufstein, about 4km from the border with Germany. The company has invested heavily in its machine production and has two systems of production lines that are capable of making approximately 91,000 pieces per day and 28 million glasses per year.
The mesmerising, whizzing, fire-breathing machines that blow 1500-degree non-lead crystal into moulds, mechanically attaches the stems, laser-trims and fire polishes the glasses for a final time before they are inspected for any flaws.
Imperfect glasses (approximately 30% on a good day) are destroyed, crushed and re-melted into the crystal mix, a process that helps improve the quality of the crystal itself.
Interestingly, if there is not enough recycled crystal content added to the mix each day, additional recycled glass will be added to perfect the recipe.
Decanting wines
Why should I decant my wine?
- For older wines, to separate it from its sediment.
- For younger wines, to increase oxygenation and thereby enhance aromas and flavours.
How do I decant my wine?
For young wines (up to 10 years old), open them 8-12 hours prior to drinking, or decant it as this speeds up the aeration process.
Decanting reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (a preserving element), and matures the wine, enhancing its flavours.
When decanting young wines, pour the wine into the decanter and let it splash around the vessel.
For older wines, slowly pour the wine into the decanter and don't let any sediment leave the bottle!
About the Riedel wine glass ranges
| Range | Price range | Our opinion |
| Vinum | From £44 per pair | High quality glassware for everyday use |
| Veritas | From £50 per pair | Perfect for wine lovers, unique design and worth the investment |
| O | From £24 per pair | Stemless alternative, great for a gift or for casual drinking |
| Extreme | From £34 per pair | Featuring large bowls and long stems, intensifying the wine flavours |
| Sommeliers | From £88 each | Add an extra level to the drinking experience, perfect for enjoying fine wines |
| Performance | From £50 per pair | Unique optic impact, enhances the wine's aromas |
| Ouverture | From £24 per pair | Great starting range for wine drinkers, can be used for any varietal |
| Superleggero | From £75 per pair | Extremely lightweight and ultra-thin, for the most fine dining |
| Winewings | From £27 each | An unusual design, but perfect for advanced wine drinkers |
| Veloce | From £50 each |
Looks and feels handmade! But is, in fact, produced by machine, using new, cutting-edge technologies and is a true precision tool. |
Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe.
To avoid stains, use soft water, and avoid glass contact with metal or other glass to avoid scratches.
White vinegar can be used to remove stains.
Wash with warm water, using detergent, and rinse carefully.
Never hold the glass by the base when polishing, as the stem can snap.
Riedel sell a Microfibre Polishing Cloth to add extra shine!
Keep your glassware away from kitchen cabinets which may have other aromas that could translate into the glass!
