Jancis Robinson to launch wine glass ‘in response to an everyday frustration’

At her home in London this evening, Jancis Robinson MW is to officially unveil her own wine glass, which has been created “in response to an everyday frustration”.

The ‘1 Collection’ is the result of a partnership between Jancis and product designer Richard Brendon, created ‘in response to an everyday frustration’

Called the 1 Collection, the latest addition to the world of wine accessories comprises a water glass and two decanters, as well as a single glass that has been designed to offer “the best tasting experience for every wine”, whatever its style or strength.

Speaking about the inspiration for the stemware, the famous critic said that she wanted to find a single glass that would benefit all styles of wine, but had failed to discover such a product.

“I was looking for the perfect wine glass,” she said.

“I love white wine as much as red and have never understood why white wine glasses are routinely smaller than those designed for red wine,” she added.

“White wines can be just as complex, and just as deserving of what you might call aroma enhancement as reds. It just seems so obvious and sensible to have one single wine glass for all three colours of wine – especially when so many of us are short of storage space,” she continued.

She also observed, “On my travels around the world of wine, it has become really noticeable in the last few years that producers of Champagne and other sparkling wines, as well as those making sherry, port and other fortified wines, want their precious liquids to be appreciated in just the same way as table wines.”

However, it wasn’t until she was approached by London-based product designer Richard Brendon that her vision for the perfect wine glass would become a reality.

Brendon had asked Robinson if they could design a range of wine glasses together, but the critic told him “firmly” that she wanted just one ideal wine glass.

The 1 Collection comprises a wine glass, two decanters and a water glass that precisely mirrors the shape of the wine glass

“As someone who wants to make enjoying wine as straightforward and pleasurable as possible, I was insistent on a single glass shape and size,” she recalled.

“So, in detailed consultation with me, and involving many a prototype, we have come up with the 1 Wine Glass, a working complement to wine thanks to my practical input and a work of art thanks to Richard’s perfectionism,” she said.

Robinson also insisted the glass have the strength and dimensions to go in the dishwasher.

And, she made sure that the rim of the wine glass was particularly fine to minimise the amount of glass that comes between the wine and the palate.

As for the other products in the collection, these include a bottle-shaped Old Wine Decanter, which has been crafted to allow users to decant
 off the sediment while limiting the wine’s surface area, minimising the risk of oxidation.

There is also a Young Wine Decanter with plenty 
of space for a young wine to be swirled and aerated, accelerating the maturing process and allowing the favours of a younger vintage to develop and mellow in the decanter. The bowl is also large enough to accommodate 
a magnum.

To complete the collection, there is an accompanying water glass that precisely mirrors the shape of the 1 Wine Glass, meaning that the former could also be used as a stemless wine glass.

You can read more about the range over the following pages. Retail prices in the UK (now revealed) are:

• Wine glass set of 2, £70
• Wine glass set of 6, £200
• Water glass set of 2, £50
• Water glass set of 6, £150
• Old wine decanter with stopper, £125
• Water carafe, £95
• Young wine decanter, £100

The 1 Collection will be available exclusively at Harrods in the UK from 1 July and Hopson Grace in Canada, Neil Bradford in Australia and to order worldwide from RichardBrendon.com from 2 July.

Key features of the 1 Collection according to the manufacturers

The wine glass

What they say: “The only stemmed glass you will need to enjoy every wine at its best. Use this glass for every wine, whatever its colour, including sparkling wine, port, sherry, sweet wines and anything else you want to savour and enjoy to the fullest. This shape has been specially designed to maximise your enjoyment of all wines’ aromas, avours and textures in the most practical way possible.”

The water glass

What they say: “Wine should always be accompanied by water and this stemless glass ts perfectly with the 1 Glass to create a beautiful table setting. The shape of the bowl mimics the exact curvature of the 1 Glass, meaning this stemless version may be used as a wine glass if desired, retaining all the tasting bene ts of the generous tulip shape.

The Young Wine Decanter

What they say: “This is a generous and bold decanter for young wines needing aeration and maximum surface area for the wine. The long neck allows for a strong grip that will allow you to swirl the wine energetically, allowing oxygen to encourage and hasten a young wine’s evolution and mellow the flavours. The bowl is also large enough to accommodate a magnum.”

The Old Wine Decanter

What they say: “This bottle-shaped decanter allows you to decant a mature wine off its sediment whilst ensuring that it is not exposed to too much harmful oxygen. The refined shape follows the form of the 1 Glass and the beautiful mouth blown stopper adds an element of contemporary design to your table.”

And finally… The Water Carafe

What they say: “This is the bottle-shaped old wine decanter without the stopper, an understated and versatile water carafe that follows the form of the 1 Glass and the Water Glass to create a beautiful and refined suite. It also fits in the fridge door, keeping your water – or white wine – perfectly chilled.”