Bigger wines require bigger glasses

The greater levels of concentration in modern wines meant that Riedel’s range of Vinum glassware needed to be updated to suit new styles of both red and white wine, according to Maximilian Riedel.

Speaking at a lunch held in the Harrods tasting room, Riedel presented the newest addition to the Vinum XL range, the Syrah glass.

As with all Riedel stemware, the Syrah glass has been designed to best reflect and enhance the characteristics of the grape. However, the range in general is expressly designed to stand up to changes in winemaking.

As Riedel pointed out, most of the glasses in the original Vinum range were created n the late eighties and early nineties and winemaking styles have moved on since then.

“The original Bordeaux glass was first made in the eighties and now is more of a tool for Old World wines in general,” he explained.

“We have to keep up with the increased concentration in wines, the increase in alcohol. Styles have changed, there’s new terminology. Even in California they are talking about the difference between ‘mountain’ and ‘valley’ fruit,” he said.

Riedel also highlighted Oregon’s Pinot Noir makers in particular, who were complaining that the standard Riedel Pinot glass was not reflecting their wines in the best possible way.

So far the range comprises glasses for Cabernet/Merlot wines, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling, Chardonnay and Montrachet and Riedel thinks that is enough for now.

It will certainly be enough for Riedel fans who will now have to find some extra space in their cupboards. The “XL” tag is not without reason. The original Bordeaux glass was 225 millimetres tall with a capacity of 610 cubic centimetres.

The new Bordeaux glass is 265mm tall and can hold 960cc, a little under a bottle and a half.

Rupert Millar, 26.05.2011