SOMMELIERS (1973) Professor Claus J Riedel was the first designer to recognise that the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of wines are affected by the shape of the glass from which they are consumed. In the late 1950s, RIEDEL started to produce glasses which at that time were a design revolution. Thin-blown, unadorned, reducing the design to its essence, bowl, stem, base.
Working with experienced tastes, RIEDEL discoverd that wine enjoyed from his glasses showed more depth and better balance than when served in other glasses. 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 illustrated to perfection with the introduction of the SOMMELIERS series in 1973, which achieved worldwide recognition. A glass was born that turns a sip into a celebration – a wine?s best friend – fine-tuned to match the grape!

Glass series: SOMMELIERS BORDEAUX GRAND CRU
Item number: 4400/00
Height: 270 mm, 10-5/8″
Capacity: 860 ccm, 30-3/8″
Widest diameter: 106 mm, 4-1/8″
Price Category: $$$
Fine Crystal
This glass, first created in 1959, is not a design gimmick but a precision instrument, developed to highlight the unique characteristics of the great wines of Bordeaux. The large bowl (capacity 30 oz) brings out the full depth of contemporary wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Modern vinification techniques enable wine-makers to concentrate the fruit to such an extent that young wines may seem one-dimensional, tannic and over-oaked if served in smaller glasses. The Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru gives breathing space to both young and more mature wines, unpacking the various layers of bouquet and delivering a full spectrum of aromas. On the palate, the texture of the wine – soft, silky, velvety – is intensified and the finish prolonged, gently blending acidity with supple, sweet tannins. This is a glass that showcases these majestically structured red wines in all their complexity and finesse.