With twenty distinguised winemakers and wine writers, they sampled their own vineyard's wines from a selection of fourteen Riedel glasses, of varying shapes and sizes.

These glasses were (from L-R): Vinum Riesling; Vinum Oaked Chardonnay; Vinum Pinot Noir; Vinum Shiraz; Vinum Cabernet; Vinum XL Pinot Noir; Vinum XL Shiraz; Vinum Extreme Riesling; Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir; Vitis Pinot Noir; Vitis Shiraz; Ouverture Red Wine; Ouverture Magnum; Sommeliers Pinot Noir.

Of these, the Vinum XL Pinot Noir (6416/67) glass was selected across the board as the best glass to present the aroma, flavour, character and overall profile of the wines.

It was followed closely by Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir (4444/07), and Vinum Pinot Noir (6416/07).

Georg Riedel said it was "crucial" to use the right glass in order to properly enhance your wines, and encouraged those who partook in the workshop to “forget about the look of the glass” and “feel the emotion of the wine".

“I asked them to concentrate on how the wine performs in the glass, how does it feel, and how does that vary from glass to glass,” he said.  “Central Otago is internationally recognised for producing some of the world’s best wine, and Pinot Noir from the region is particularly sought after because of the great intensity and finesse of the wine.”

“The perfect Pinot Noir glass has a rounded, bulbous bottom and a thin pointed flow at the top. The glass controls the flow of wine to the palate in a spectacular way so the wine doesn’t become better, it tastes better.”

Experienced local winemaker Alan Brady, pioneer of wine in the Central Otago Wine region, was interviewed by Central Otago P.L. for their media release, and said he was “amazed” at how different his Wild Irishman Pinot Noir wine tasted in each of the glasses.  “It was like I had tasted 14 different wines and for me there was one clear winner which stood out from the rest."

The Riedel Central Otago Pinot Noir glass is planned for release by Hancocks Wine & Spirit Merchants in 2014.

If you purchase a Miele dishwasher from 1 March - 28 April 2013, you'll receive a $300 gift voucher for our online store!  So you can stock your brand new dishwasher with brand new Riedel glasses!

*Conditions apply.

The master glassman is coming to our shores in March, and will be hosting tastings in both Sydney and Melbourne.  Georg is bringing his incredibly special and unique tasting to Australia, with a few new elements to highlight the importance of varietal specific glassware.

Vinum XL

The tasting will feature the three red wine glasses from our Vinum XL series.  Vinum XL is a lofty extension of the classic Vinum series, designed for full-bodied, beautiful big wines.  The series is perfectly suited for rich Australian wines, known as "New World" wines.

Isolate your senses

In addition to the normal tasting, Georg will also do a water tasting.  This fascinating element allows you to clearly feel how the liquid hits your pallet - whether it is directed to the tip of your tongue, hits the middle of your palette, or fans out from one side to the other - without being interrupted by your other senses taste and smell.  Georg led guests through a water tasting back in 2011, with surprising results.

Did someone say chocolate?

But the latest new element of the tasting, and some would say the most delicious, reflects our new and exciting partnership with Lindt chocolate.  We have heard it remarked that the choice of your glass doesn't matter as much once you add food into the equation - that food and wine matching is the important element.  Well, we're here to prove you wrong!  Using three dark chocolates from Lindt's Excellence range, Georg will show you how food, wine, and glass matching plays a hugely important role on your enjoyment.

As the 10th generation Riedel, and with decades of experience under his belt, Georg is a master at what he does and has a wealth of knowledge to share about getting the most of your wine, the money you spend on it, and the time you dedicate to it.

So what are you waiting for?  Buy your tickets now!

- Sydney - tickets can be purchased from Peter's of Kensington - email angela@petersofkensington.com.au or phone (02) 9662 1099

- Melbourne - purchase them on our store now!

2013 is the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac and the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective and refined of the ancient signs.

In celebration, Riedel has assembled for the first time an exhibition of its stunning “Mamba” decanters, inspired by the serpentine form.

Until Sunday 24 February, 8 unique Mamba decanters - in a range of colours not seen before in Australia - will be available to view on Level 5 of Myer Melbourne.  This is an exhibition for those born in the Year of the Snake, and Riedel lovers alike!

The alluring Mamba decanter, designed by Maximilian Riedel (11th generation of the Riedel family), channels the vigour of the famous Black Mamba, the world’s fastest snake.

As Maximilian says: “I was born in the year of the snake, which inspired my great fascination with this mysterious creature.  I create my decanters to have equal parts grace and command, while being functional tools that enhance the experience of enjoying wine.”

Mirroring the snake’s upright stance, poised to attack, the Mamba’s coiled base creates a series of air pockets that ‘charge’ the wine as it moves towards the elegant upright neck upon pouring.

These vibrant, colourful and unique pieces are a tribute to the craft of glassmaking, the dedications of Riedel's artists, and practical pieces that are not only useful but also eye-catching for your dining table.

THE ART OF DECANTING

Riedel adheres to the decanting philosophy of French wine expert, Christian Moueix: “I prefer to decant wines, both young and old. It is a sign of respect for old wines and a sign of confidence in young wines.”

Like most of Riedel’s decanters, the Mamba is mouth-blown in lead crystal, and can only be produced by the most experienced of master glass blowers. It stands 36cm high, with an elegant swoop of coloured crystal to add theatre to the pouring of great wines. 

The Mamba decanter’s ‘free blown’ nature means that no two decanters are the same.  Each Mamba is unique; a must-have for any wine-lover’s home.

The Mamba is not only strikingly beautiful, but serves as a tool for the enjoyment of wine. As the wine flows through every bend it is double-decanted, achieving what would normally take hours in a typical bowl-shaped carafe.

“We had this design independently tested,” says Maxmilian Riedel, the CEO of Riedel in the USA, “and it aerates wine faster than any other decanter on the shelf.”

ELEVEN GENERATIONS OF GLASSMAKING

The exhibition also marks the 40th annivesary of the world-changing Sommeliers series.  In the 1970s, Riedel created the world’s first series of wine glasses shaped specifically for different grape varieties, revolutionizing the industry and in effect inventing the modern wine glass.

The Riedel family has been in the glass business for over 250 years, with eleven generations devoted to the art of glassmaking.

The story of the Riedel company is one of innovation, married with proud tradition. From its beginnings in northern Bohemia down to this day, Riedel has always stood for originality and quality.

The company follows a very pure design philosophy: form follows function.  As with Riedel’s varietal specific glasses, which have transformed the way wine is enjoyed, Riedel decanters are as functional as they are beautiful.

Riedel today employs over 1,200 people and produces around 50 million glassware products annually.

The British Museum acknowledged the importance of the Riedel’s contribution to modern glassware and wine drinking in its pivotal tome 5000 Years of Glass.

The full album of images, originally posted by 11th generation Maximilian Riedel, can be found here.  This extensive event is just one of many tasting Riedel has conducted in order to know that when we say we are offering you the perfect glass, we have no doubt.

In Australia, we worked together with Crown Ambassador in 2010 to find the right glass for their special release.  The press release at the time stated:

On Wednesday 24 March, an elite tasting panel led by two of the world's greatest craftsmen selected a Riedel Shiraz design as the perfect glass to partner with the third vintage of Australia's most luxurious beer - Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager - which will be released in August 2010.

Fourteen different shaped and sized glasses, especially brought from the home of Riedel in Austria for the occasion, were trialled at the tasting...  By the final round, it was agreed that Riedel's Vinum Extreme Shiraz glass was the perfect partner for this limited-edition lager. 

John Cozens explains that the secret is selecting a glass that brings out the complex flavours of the beer and which also prevents the aromas escaping -- the magic of Riedel glassware. 'Compared to the other 13 glasses, the one we selected really emphasises the different levels of flavour of Crown Ambassador Reserve in a more balanced way. After more than an hour of deliberation, I believe the final glass will enhance what is already an extraordinary drinking experience.'  

Georg Riedel explains the philosophy behind the partnership: 'Crown Ambassador Reserve and Riedel share many of the same principles; luxury, style and quality, so this collaboration to hand-select the most complementary Riedel glass design for Australia's most premium beer is a wonderful fit.'

Coincidentally, this glass was designed in 2004 specifically for Australian Shiraz, following a partnership with Penfolds about what glass would be most suitable for their iconic wines.

This year, Riedel's presence at the Shows will be bigger and better than ever, with more to see, touch, taste and enjoy.

The most exciting new addition to 2012's Show is the offer of a premium tasting glass option for the consumers. 

Those who wish to get a better experience of taste and aroma from sampled wines can now purchase one of Riedel's Ouverture glasses (value $20).  This premium glass option is sold in a custom-made tube to travel home safely, for only $10!

Glasses can be purchased outside the Dan Murphy’s World of the Wine Pavilion, and at the information Point.

Our iconic Riedel Glass Tasting class will be held in the Riedel Wine Theatre on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

This one-hour class is hosted by Riedel Australia's MD Mark Baulderstone, and includes a set of four wine glasses from our Vinum XL range, matched with premium wines.  It is informative and fun - and exceptional value for only $99, including the take-home set, worth $280.

With only 80 seats available, and tickets selling fast, you'd better get in quick or risk missing out on this great class.  Click here to purchase tickets now, with or without Show Entry!

So come and visit us!  At our interactive stand, you can see the full Australian portfolio of Riedel products, plus other glassware brands Spiegelau (known for the Beer Classics) and Nachtmann (giftware and tableware).

With a range of great offers over the weekend, the Good Food and Wine Show is a perfect opportunity to check out our new decanters, speak to Riedel's experienced staff about handling and care, or purchase the product you've been lusting after.

Earlier this year, Sydney’s innovative butchery, Victor Churchill, announced the arrival of a limited edition decanter designed by Riedel.  “Victor” is a tribute to Victor Puharich, master butcher and the founder of Vic’s Premium Quality Meat.  And in a witty twist, it is shaped like a pig’s tail, with a line of pink crystal defining its curly form.

The decanter was designed by Georg Riedel, 10th generation Riedel, in collaboration with Anthony Puharich, the man behind Victor Churchill. Both family-owned brands have similar values and have carved their way as innovators within their industries.  Says Anthony of the partnership: “We both have a passion for consumer-led design and innovation, and this decanter is a wonderful outcome of that shared philosophy.”  Georg added: “The decanter is charming to look at; it also enhances the enjoyment of wine, a functionality that was important to both of us”.

Victor is free blown by Riedel's world-class glassblowers, without the aid of a mould.  A rod of pink crystal is introduced while the glass is molten hot, creating the pink line that runs through the decanter.  Only an extremely talented glassblower can successfully sculpt these creations, and each decanter is slightly different - one of a kind.

Only 50 pieces of this limited edition decanter have been made, each numbered and bearing the engraved signature of Riedel and Puharich, making these true collector’s items.  Victor comes with customized packaging, and its own handmade story book of "The Pig's Tail".  Written and designed by Anthony Puharich, it tells the tale of how the decanter was born. The story is accompanied with original illustrations by Josie Stomann.

The decanter was launched with great success on Thursday 23 February, while Georg Riedel was in Sydney.  The launch was held at Victor Churchill's boutique store in Woollahra.  Photos from the event can be found here, on Riedel Australia's Facebook page.

The Victor decanter is available for $900.  To purchase Victor, please call Victor Churchill on (02) 9328 0402 or visit http://www.victorchurchill.com/.

2007 saw the debut of the Black Amadeo ($799.95), a successor with the same form of the original executed in striking black crystal. Made from 24% lead crystal, the decanter achieves its inky color through the use of manganese oxide which tints the glass in shades of dark purple to pitch black. Producing the Amadeo in black is a more difficult and laborious process than crafting the decanter in clear crystal. The manganese oxide makes the black molten glass cool significantly quicker than clear glass, giving the glassmaker less time to sculpt the form.

The latest Amadeo Black Tie, introduced this year, is a worthy heir to the line – debonair as a tuxedo with the same elegance and ease of use as its predecessors. The limited edition Amadeo Black Tie Decanter ($799.95) shares the same graceful lyre form as the other decanters in the line, but adds a distinctive difference. Its flawless clear crystal body is articulated with a single slender black tuxedo stripe that lovingly follows the contours of its stylized U-shaped silhouette. A prime example of streamlined chic, this new decanter is a marvelous companion to Riedel’s Sommeliers Black Tie glasses, with their black stems and clear bases for red wine and clear stems and black bases for white.

Adorning the Amadeo Black Tie decanter with that sinuous stripe makes it a challenging piece to produce. As with the Black Amadeo, manganese oxide is used to create the solitary band of black. Explains Maximilian Riedel, “The addition of manganese oxide makes the black molten glass more temperamental, less pliable and it cools more quickly than clear glass. So, the challenge for our glassmakers when shaping the decanter is to manipulate both elements quickly enough to control the decoration and the shape of the decanter simultaneously.”

Sleek and beautifully simple, the understated élan of these decanters belie the degree of difficulty involved in their creation. All the Amadeo decanters are handmade, mouth-blown and ‘free blown,’ formed by hand without the use of molds. The excellence of the execution relies upon the talent of the glassblower so each decanter is slightly different, unique.

Sculptural enough to qualify as art, it is easy to forget that all versions of the Amadeo decanter are also triumphs of functionality – a classic Riedel hallmark.

Interest in fine wine continues to grow and in addition to fine stemware, a decanter is a must for serious wine drinkers. Currently, Riedel Crystal makes over three dozen different decanter designs to please both the palate and the eye.