Riedel Sommeliers Sauternes

Product Description

The unadorned handmade Sauternes glass of the beautiful glass collection Sommeliers distinguishes by an impeccable quality. The glass is designed to emphasize acidity, thus balancing the wine's liquorous sweetness and luscious finish. The Sommeliers series is the world's first grape varietal specific wine glass and turns every sip into a celebration. All RIEDEL glasses are dishwasher safe.

From the Manufacturer

A glass is not just a glass.

Riedel's belief when it comes to developing a shape is that design ideas are not born on a drawing board but shaped by trial and error with the help and support of the world's greatest palates. A person interested in wine is led by color, bouquet, and taste. Over the years, we have acquired some interesting scientific explanations as to why the shape of a glass influences the bouquet and taste of alcoholic beverages.

The first discovery was made while enjoying wine. The same wine seemed completely different when served in a variety of glasses. In the next step, Riedel was able to determine shapes in which the wine seemed to improve. The grape variety is the key factor determining the relationship between fruit, acidity, tannin, and alcohol in wine. We started to recognize the complicated role played by size and shape in conveying the message of a fine wine.

The Influence of Size and Shape on Alcoholic Beverages

Bouquet

The quality and intensity of aromas are determined by the personality of a wine and the relative affinity of the glass shape. Bouquet can only develop in a range of temperatures. Low temperatures temper the intensity, whereas high temperatures push mainly alcoholic fumes.

• The lightest, most fragile aromas are those which resemble flower and fruit aromas. Slender, egg-shaped glasses emphasize this kind of aroma.
• The middle is filled with green vegetal aromas and earthy mineral components.
• The heaviest aromas are those of wood and alcohol.

When swirling the glass, the wine moistens additional surface which increases the evaporation and intensity of the aromas. Very large glasses with a capacity of more than 25 ounces allow you to sniff through the layers of bouquet by inhaling extremely gently and consistently for more than ten seconds.

Palate

Physical movements and adjustments are controlled subconsciously. The shape of the glass forces the head to position itself in such a way that you drink and do not spill.

Shape

Every wine has its own blend--fruit, acidity, mineral, tannin, alcohol--based on the grape variety, soil, and climate. By studying the character of the grape variety, Riedel is able to deliver wine and spirits to the nose and palate so that each beverage can reach its full expression.

Key Factors in Selecting a Wine Glass

• Type
• Colorless
• Transparent
• Unadorned
• Thin-walled
• With a cut and polished lip
• Egg-shaped
• Stemmed
• Made of lead crystal
• Size
• Approximately three ounces for white wine
• Four up to a maximum of five ounces for red wine
• One ounce for spirits
• General Rules
• Red wines and their character require large glasses,
• White wines medium-sized glasses, and
• Spirits small ones in order to emphasize the fruit character and not the alcohol.

Taking Care of Riedel Stemware

As Riedel glasses are executed in the finest lead crystal, it is important to pay attention to their correct care.

Hand Washing

Do not be afraid when washing your glasses by hand. Before polishing your glasses, steam them over a bowl of boiling water for that extra sparkle.