Up until just a few years ago, I tended to choose glassware used for entertaining based simply on its appearance on a well set table. I generally chose good quality cut crystal in two sizes to accommodate red or white wines. When presenting a good Rosé I followed the convention of using the white wine glass or a good decorated crystal Champagne flute for our best Sparkling Rosés.

Then, I discovered master Austrian glassmakers Riedel, and everything changed!

The Riedel concept is that the shape of the glass makes a huge difference to enjoyment of different types of wine.  The glass shape is optimised to bring out the best in the wine.

Riedel propose that different types of wine require different shaped glasses in order to be fully enjoyed at their absolute best.

I swiftly discovered that there was no question that our wines tasted better from the Riedel glass.  The effect was startling, bringing out every nuance of fruit from even our most delicate dry Rosés.

The ‘Riedel Crystal’ Rosé glass is uncut and thin walled resulting in such a low thermal mass that it frosts beautifully the instant the wine is poured.  Gone forever, was the need to refrigerate my chunky cut crystal glasses!  The Riedel glasses are available not just for Rosé, but optimised for each red or white wine variety to provide the ultimate tasting experience.

The Riedel concept that form follows function holds throughout the range with its variety of shapes.  They are unadorned (barring the discreet Riedel brand on the base) and are generously sized to allow enough room for the wine’s bouquet to be fully appreciated.  The lead crystal has a wonderful clarity which catches all the light and makes for a most elegant table.

Given all the above it probably comes as no surprise that Rose-wine.com prefers to use Riedel glasses at our tastings.