Riedel Wine Glasses Review: Are They Worth the Hype?

When it comes to enjoying a glass of wine, having the right stemware can make all the difference. And for many wine lovers, Riedel is the go-to brand for high-quality glasses designed to enhance the aroma and flavor of your favorite varietals. But with premium prices to match their reputation, are Riedel wine glasses really worth it?

In this in-depth review, we‘ll take a closer look at the Riedel company, their different wine glass collections, and what sets them apart. Plus, we‘ll see what customers have to say and help you decide if Riedel is the right choice for your wine glass needs. Let‘s dive in!

The Riedel Legacy: 265+ Years of Glassmaking Expertise

Before we get into the wine glasses themselves, it‘s worth knowing a bit about the Riedel company and how they became a leader in the world of wine. Founded in Bohemia in 1756, Riedel has been making glassware for over 265 years – making them the oldest family-owned glass company in the world.

Now based in Austria and run by 10th and 11th generation Riedels, the company has spent centuries perfecting the art of glassmaking. But it was 9th generation Claus J. Riedel who really revolutionized wine glasses in the 1950s by discovering that the shape of a glass can significantly impact the tasting experience.

The Riedel family has over 265 years of experience in the production of glassware. And they have collaborated with key winemakers over the years to design glasses that perfectly balance and enhance specific wine varietals.

Since then, Riedel has worked closely with wine experts and producers around the world to craft a vast portfolio of grape varietal-specific glasses. By tailoring the glass bowl shape, size, and rim diameter to highlight the unique qualities of different wines, Riedel aims to deliver the best possible tasting experience.

Today, Riedel offers an extensive array of stemware for wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and more, as well as decanters and other accessories. The brand is renowned not only for their focus on wine-friendly functionality, but also for their elegant designs and high-quality craftsmanship using fine crystal and glass.

So now that we know a bit about the company behind the glasses, let‘s take a look at some of Riedel‘s most popular collections and see how they stack up.

Riedel Wine Glass Collections Review

Riedel offers dozens of different grape varietal-specific wine glasses, but they are categorized into a few key collections:

Riedel Veritas Collection Review

One of Riedel‘s most popular lines, Veritas is a collaboration between Riedel and 6 key winemakers to create the ultimate stemware for New World wines. Machine-made from crystal glass, each Veritas glass employs state-of-the-art design to showcase the flavors and aromas of specific varietals while balancing the acidity and tannins.

The collection includes glasses for a wide range of New World wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Shiraz, and more. Veritas glasses have an extremely thin rim for a smooth flow onto the palate. They are elegant yet durable and dishwasher safe.

For example, the Riedel Veritas New World Pinot Noir glass has a wide tulip-shaped bowl to enable the wine to develop its bouquet and the slight flare at the top enhances the fruit and tempers acidity. The glass really brings out the sweet fruit, floral notes, and bright acidity typical of New World Pinot Noirs.

Riedel Sommeliers Collection Review

As the name suggests, the mouth-blown crystal Sommeliers collection is designed for wine connoisseurs. Crafted to bring out the complex aromas and flavors of fine, mature wines, these glasses follow the original designs Claus Riedel created in the 1950s based on the character of different grape varietals.

The Sommeliers series offers exquisite, handmade glasses for an extensive selection of wines from Bordeaux to Montrachet to Vintage Port. For instance, the Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru glass is designed with a large bowl to enable the multi-layered aromas of fine Pinot Noirs to develop. The slightly flared top concentrates flavors to the palate.

These glasses are the pinnacle of Riedel‘s glassmaking expertise and are prized by wine collectors and professionals around the world. However, due to the delicate handcrafted crystal, they are very fragile and must be washed by hand.

Riedel Performance Collection Review

The machine-made crystal Performance series incorporates the latest innovations in Riedel stemware, with a unique optical effect that increases the inner surface area to better aerate wine. Performance glasses have large stable bases and extremely fine rims like Veritas, but with added height for a dramatic presentation.

Designed to highlight the specific flavor profiles of different varietals, the Performance collection offers glasses for Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and more. For example, the Riedel Performance Riesling glass has a small, narrow bowl to focus the fruit and floral aromas and high acidity typical of this grape.

Riedel Winewings Collection Review

One of Riedel‘s newest innovations, the Winewings collection features a unique flat bottom glass with a wing-shaped bowl that increases the surface area even further to better aerate wines while providing superior balance. Machine-made from crystal, these distinctive angular glasses are named after famous aircraft.

Options include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay glasses and they work beautifully for both young and mature wines. The Riedel Winewings Cabernet Sauvignon glass has an especially wide bowl to allow this bold varietal to breathe and enhance the ripe dark fruit flavors, full body, and smooth tannins.

Riedel Decanters Review

In addition to varietal-specific stemware, Riedel offers an array of stylish yet practical crystal wine decanters. Decanting is important for separating wine from any sediment and allowing it to aerate and develop its full aroma.

Riedel‘s decanters come in a variety of artistic, free-flowing shapes that not only look stunning on the dinner table but are designed to effortlessly double-decant your wine by pouring it in and out. Riedel decanters have a wide base that maximizes the surface area in contact with air to open up wine while preventing drips.

For example, the best-selling Riedel Amadeo Decanter has a unique lyre shape with a wide mouth for easy pouring and cleaning. It can hold up to two standard 750 ml bottles of wine and comes in a black leather base for an elegant presentation.

What Do Customers Think of Riedel Wine Glasses?

Riedel wine glasses consistently receive rave reviews from customers around the world, with thousands of 5-star ratings. On the Riedel website, the Veritas collection has an average rating of 4.9/5 stars from nearly 500 reviews.

Customers love how Riedel glasses look and feel, with many calling them "stunning" and "elegant". The thin crystal is both beautiful and lightweight, while still being durable enough for frequent use. Riedel fans appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in each glass.

More importantly, reviewers say Riedel glasses truly do make a difference in the wine tasting experience and are worth the investment for any wine lover. The glass shapes really seem to concentrate and deliver the full expression of different wines as Riedel intends, enhancing subtle flavors and aromas.

Here‘s a sampling of Riedel reviews from happy customers:

"I was a bit skeptical that a glass could impact the taste of wine, but it‘s absolutely true! Riedel glasses have increased my wine drinking enjoyment immensely. Lovely to hold and to drink from."

"You can‘t beat the quality of these glasses – they are thin and light but still very strong. I‘ve put them through the dishwasher many times and they still look like new. Worth every penny."

"These glasses make a huge difference – they really let the wine open up and bring out amazing new flavors. I never really understood what I was missing until I tried Riedel, now I‘m a convert for life!"

The main complaints about Riedel seem to be the price and the delicate nature of the thin crystal, with stemware prone to breaking if you‘re not careful. Handwash-only glasses can also be a hassle. However, most customers find that the superior wine tasting experience is worth the cost and upkeep.

Is Riedel Worth It?

So is Riedel worth the hype and the premium price tag? If you‘re serious about wine, most experts and customers agree that Riedel stemware really does enhance the tasting experience compared to regular wine glasses.

Riedel invests heavily in research and innovation to craft each glass for specific wine varietals. It may seem gimmicky at first, but the proof is in the tasting. The size and shape of the bowl and rim can concentrate or disperse the aroma and even affect which parts of your palate the wine hits to highlight certain qualities.

"The right glass does make a world of difference to the flavor profile. I am now a firm believer that the correct shape and style of glass really enhances the wine that you‘re drinking." – Decanter Magazine

Of course, you can still enjoy wine in a regular glass or tumbler – it‘s more about the experience and who you share it with. But if you want to get the most out of a special bottle or appreciate the subtle nuances of different wines, upgrading to Riedel stemware is a worthy investment in your wine journey.

As for which Riedel glasses to choose, it depends on your specific wine preferences and budget. The machine-made Veritas and Performance collections provide excellent quality and durability at a more accessible price point for everyday wine drinking.

For special occasions, collectible wines, or gifts, the mouth-blown Sommeliers collection offers the finest expression of Riedel craft and performance. And if you want to add a conversation piece to your dinner table, the unique Winewings glasses are sure to impress.

No matter which Riedel wine glasses you choose, you can feel confident knowing you‘ll be tasting your wine the way the winemaker intended. Isn‘t it time you experienced the Riedel difference for yourself? Cheers!

Where to Buy Riedel Wine Glasses

Riedel wine glasses are available at home goods stores, wine shops, and department stores around the world. You can also buy them directly from the Riedel website, which offers the widest selection and exclusive sets.

Riedel occasionally offers promotions on their website, so it‘s worth checking their sale section for discounts. They also provide free shipping on all orders over $50.

Some top places to find Riedel wine glasses include:

• Riedel.com
• Amazon
• Williams Sonoma
• Crate & Barrel
• Macy‘s
• Bloomingdale‘s
• Wine Enthusiast
• Bed Bath & Beyond

Keep in mind that while Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe unless noted, the delicate crystal and longer stems are safest when handwashed. With proper care, Riedel stemware is designed to provide a lifetime of wine enjoyment.