Riedel

Riedel

Riedel is an established manufacturer of functional crystal glassware, widely specified by sommeliers and hospitality professionals for wine service. The company has operated continuously since 1756 and remains family-owned, now under its eleventh generation of leadership. Founded in the Bohemian glassmaking region by Johann Leopold Riedel, the company initially produced decorative and table glassware. Its modern identity was defined in the late 1950s when Claus Josef Riedel introduced the concept of varietal-specific wine glasses, based on the principle that glass shape influences aroma delivery and palate perception. Riedel is headquartered in Kufstein, Austria, with manufacturing facilities in Austria and Germany.

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Design Approach

Riedel glassware is developed using functional design principles rather than decorative styling. Each glass is engineered to support a specific beverage style through controlled bowl volume, shape and rim diameter. mThese parameters determine aromatic concentration, flow direction onto the palate and perceived balance. Designs are developed through empirical testing in collaboration with winemakers and wine professionals. The objective is consistency of sensory performance rather than visual uniformity across the range. Riedel glassware is produced from lead-free crystal. Manufacturing combines automated forming processes with mechanical stem application, laser trimming and fire polishing. Quality control standards are strict, with defective pieces reprocessed prior to distribution. Machine-made collections are certified dishwasher safe in accordance with EN 12875-1/2 standards. Hand-blown items require manual washing due to reduced rim thickness.

Key Collections

Riedel’s portfolio is structured to meet different operational and budget requirements while maintaining consistent functional standards.

• Sommeliers Collection: Hand-blown, varietal-specific stemware with ultra-fine rims. Produced individually by master glassmakers and positioned as reference-standard glassware for professional tasting and service.
• Vinum Collection: Machine-made varietal-specific glasses designed to deliver functional performance at scale. Widely used in restaurant and hotel environments requiring durability with defined sensory characteristics.
• Veritas Collection: A lighter, more refined evolution of Vinum using advanced manufacturing techniques. Balances reduced weight with commercial dishwasher suitability.
• Veloce Collection: Designed for higher-turnover venues, offering reinforced durability while retaining varietal differentiation.

Why Choose Riedel?

Riedel is specified by operators who require predictable, repeatable wine presentation.

• Functional Design: Glass shapes are developed to support defined wine styles rather than general-purpose use.
• Consistency at Scale: Machine-made collections allow uniform glassware specification across multiple sites.
• Professional Acceptance: Long-standing adoption by wine professionals establishes Riedel as a category reference.
• Production Continuity: Family ownership and European manufacturing provide stability of supply and design continuity.
• Regulatory Compliance: Lead-free crystal and certified dishwasher resistance meet modern operational standards.