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 CHABLIS (CHARDONNAY)
Item number: 4400/0
Height: 216 mm, 8-1/2″
Capacity: 350 ccm, 12-3/8 oz
Widest diameter: 80 mm, 3-1/8″
Price Category: $$$
Fine Crystal
Some of the finest and most expensive dry white wines are made from this grape variety, a native of the Burgundy region which is now grown in almost all wine-producing regions worldwide. In the New World, especially, Chardonnay’s popularity stems from its creamy structure, which balances oaky, buttery flavours with low acidity. The variety produces wines of high alcoholic content, often aged in small oak barrels. Winemakers sometimes add tartaric acid to compensate for its low acidity. The Chardonnay glass is designed so that this low acidity is delivered in a way that sets off the alcohol and rich flavors of the wine, highlighting its velvety, supple texture, emphasising the fruit and ensuring a long, balanced finish. This classic Riedel shape allows young wines to express all their invigorating freshness, while more mature wines are encouraged to deliver the nutty, spicy, mineral flavours so typical of the variety.