Beverages: RIEDEL (Reel 都）
Vinum (Vin Num)
The Basic Riedel Glass Series are:
Vinum - The most popular line. This was designed by Georg Riedel who is the head of this German family owned business. This was the first line to establish that the shape of the glass should be dictated by the characteristics of the wine. Lead-crystal and machine blown. This line contains the greatest depth in glass varieties for wines, beer and spirits.Vinum Extreme - As the name implies the shape is a more "extreme" version of the Vinum line. The bowls have lovely angles and the stems are taller for an elegant table presentation. Lead-crystal and machine blown.
Vinum XL - This line includes only four glasses that have been fine tuned for the major grape varietals with a fun cocktail glass thrown in for good measure. Lead-crystal and machine blown.
Wine - This is the most confusing line because, after all, aren't they all "wine" glasses? Well... yes... and no. There is a line called "Wine" that is easily distinguished by it's very decorative stem. It's the only Riedel line with a decorative stem. Non-lead crystal and machine blown. The Wine line started with the same bowl designs used for the Vinum line. Then Riedel added the decorative stems for a more elegant tablescape.
Flow - I LOVE this line with it's very "Country House" look. It's fairly new. The true surprise is the feather weight of the glasses. It's a glass that moves easily from summer concert picnic to candle-lit dinner. Non-lead crystal and machine blown.
Vitis - This line is Riedel's finest lead crystal machine blown glass line. It has a distinctive, elegant, elongated bowl. Lead crystal and machine blown.
Tyrol - A new and very rustically original glass design, this glass has a foot but no stem. It's really great for every day use or for the coordination challenged among us since it's very hard to knock it over! Lead-crystal and machine blown.
O Riedel - The trendiest of the Riedel lines, this was designed by the 11th generation heir, Maximilian Riedel. Maximilian is president of Riedel USA and designed this glass when he needed to have a great glass that could be placed in a dishwasher and stacked in a cupboard. How practical! It's also just plain FUN! Riedel also packages it in really great tubes that make great gifts. Non-lead crystal and machine blown.
Ouverture - This line is the least complicated of all Riedel lines and that makes it a great place to start your collection. There is a basic red wine glass, a larger red wine glass (magnum) and a basic white wine glass. The line includes a few other glasses for champagne, beer and spirits. Do not mistake this for a lower quality glass. The rims are fine, the bowls are carefully proportioned and the stems clasically proportioned. This is a very practical way to begin experiencing the way a wine glass can change the wine-tasting experience. Try the "Party Tube" of Magnum glasses as a fun way to begin embarking on the Riedel adventure!
Sommeliers - The Sommeliers series is entirely mouth blown lead crystal. The series was introduced in 1973 by Claus Riedel as the first gourmet glass and consisted of only 10 glass shapes. The Riedel Sommeliers series is the benchmark for all handmade wine glasses worldwide. The bowls are mouth blown into molds to ensure the shape meets the stringent criteria for each grape varietal. The stems and bases are constructed entirely by hand using 2000-year-old techniques. When you toast with the glasses you may think you are hearing the booming sound of a cathedral bell - the sound is almost unbelievable!
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