2024-11-12
The Everlasting Popularity of RIEDEL Glassware
Gourmet dishes and beverages would lose part of their charm if enjoyed from ordinary tableware. Claus Riedel, a wine connoisseur descended from an old Bohemian family of glassblowers, was the first to observe that the taste and aroma of wine vary depending on the shape of the glass. This discovery inspired him to create glasses tailored to specific grape varieties, sparking a true revolution in the wine world. Ultimately, this innovation cemented the RIEDEL name in the crystal glassware market.
UNIQUENESS LED TO SUCCESS
It would be hard to find a wine connoisseur unfamiliar with the RIEDEL name. This family-run business, now in its eleventh generation, has brought unprecedented elegance to the history of wine and transformed wine consumption into a refined ritual.
"Claus Riedel was the first to recognize that each grape variety has unique characteristics that are best revealed in a specific glass shape. The shape of the glass determines how much of the wine’s surface interacts with air and the distance between your nose and the beverage. For this reason, red wine requires a wider glass, while white wine benefits from a narrower one," explains Olivija Šakytė, Product Group Manager at PROMO Food Service.
Currently, RIEDEL, renowned for producing exclusive wine glasses and decanters, is famous not only for its top-quality products but also for the innovations it creates for wine connoisseurs. While the company’s main mission is to allow wine’s full flavor to emerge, the aesthetic side of crystal glassware is equally important. This is crafted with the utmost precision. The design of each glass adheres to the so-called "golden ratio" or "divine proportion," which can be found not only in beautiful Greek sculptures but also in the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.
"It’s interesting that the glassblowing tradition of the RIEDEL family, which began in Austria in 1756, still continues today. Some of RIEDEL's products are still made using the ancient glassblowing method, known only to about 20 artisans worldwide. This craft is passed down from generation to generation, often from fathers to sons. Other RIEDEL products are created using the latest technologies, which allow for a quality comparable to handcraft," explains Olivija Šakytė.
EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIONS FOR EVERY TASTE
Creativity is also in abundance for Maximilian Riedel, a representative of the 11th generation of the RIEDEL family. At just 23 years old, he moved to North America and became the new vice president of the company. The frequent relocations during his early life inspired him to create ultra-thin crystal glasses without stems, which became a true sensation in the wine world.
"Until then, serving wine in a stemless glass would have been unthinkable, but the new glass was unexpectedly comfortable and elegant, quickly becoming a hot trend in the wine world," says Olivija Šakytė. According to her, the "O" collection, created in 2004, retains the classic "Vinum" series shapes but lacks the most fragile part—the stem. This makes the glasses easy to transport, perfect for picnics, and dishwasher-safe. Although the collection includes glasses for both red and white wines, they are also enjoyable for water, soft drinks, or spirits. Gin connoisseurs have unexpectedly embraced these glasses as well.
One of the distinctive RIEDEL collections is the original "Winewings," created by company co-owner Georg J. Riedel. In 2018, a client asked G. Riedel to create "the best glass" for Cabernet Sauvignon wine. This led to the creation of a wide, flat-bottomed glass with an elegant stem, inspired by this specific wine variety. The glass's slightly curved walls and unique shape enhance the wine's aroma and flavor, allowing it to function almost like a decanter. Today, the "Winewings" collection includes seven different glasses designed for various types of wine.
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Also attracting attention is the latest RIEDEL glassware collection, "Grape," which consists of three different-sized glasses, perfect for both wine and various cocktails. Each glass is designed to ensure the ideal fill level, allowing the taste and aroma of different beverages to be fully expressed.
RIEDEL has not forgotten champagne lovers – they will likely be interested in the "Veritas," "Superleggero," "Performance," and "Veloce" glass collections. In these collections, the glasses for champagne are not the typical flutes, but rather tulip-shaped. Unlike flutes, this tulip design allows the champagne's aroma to better unfold, while the subtle narrowing at the top helps preserve the bubbles. These glasses are perfect not only for champagne but also for prosecco or sparkling wine. Like most RIEDEL products, these glasses are dishwasher safe.
THE CIRCLE OF RIEDEL FANS IS GROWING
During his summer visit to Lithuania, M. Riedel invited wine connoisseurs, sommeliers, and beverage experts to a RIEDEL glass pairing evening organized by PROMO Cash&Carry. Nearly 150 event participants had a unique opportunity to learn more about the world-class RIEDEL glasses and hear valuable insights from M. Riedel himself on how different shapes and sizes of glasses can influence the taste and aroma of a drink.
"Wine is the only drink with a past, present, and a guaranteed future. The glass should be like a speaker for music – it helps reveal the drink’s aroma and accentuates every subtle detail. For this reason, RIEDEL’s philosophy is to create not only beautiful but also highly functional glasses. This is what ensures the longevity of our company and the passing down of the best traditions from generation to generation," M. Riedel shared during the exclusive evening.
Crystal glasses and decanters are available for purchase at PROMO Cash&Carry or online at www.epromo.lt. Exclusive tableware collections can also be ordered from the catalogs. For consultations or special orders, you can contact a tableware department employee or get in touch with a sales manager.
PROMO Cash&Carry locations with exclusive tableware sections:
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Savanorių pr. 404A, Kaunas
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Raudondvario pl. 131, Kaunas
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Palangos pl. 16, Sudmantai, Klaipėda
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Ukmergės g. 250, Vilnius
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Iešmininkų g. 6, Vilnius
