▻ Wine Glasses with Maximilian Riedel

Let's Talk About

26 Jul

Written By Sarah Kemp

In conversation with Maximilian Riedel

Episode Summary:-

Maximilian Riedel is the eleventh generation of the illustrious glass manufacturing company which was founded in Bohemia in 1756. Sarah Kemp caught up with him in Edinburgh to talk about how his family pioneered the glasses which were designed specifically for different styles of wine. On the eve of launching Superleggero, Maximilian talks about how his grandfather Claus Riedel was the first person to introduce the concept of wine-specific glassware with the Sommeliers range, fifty years ago. Then the idea that the shape of a glass could affect the taste of the wine was revolutionary, today, it is widely accepted and Riedel has spawned many imitators.

““I call our wine glasses the loudspeaker for wine””

— Maximilian Riedel

The pioneering work started by Prof Claus Riedel, was continued by Maximilian’s father, Georg Riedel, who introduced Vinum, varietal-specific glasses. “My father built wine glasses around the DNA of the fruit and I believe the fact we are in business today and why we are the most successful”. Maximilian states. He explains how the bowl of the wine glass communicates the wine to our senses, “I call our wine glasses the loudspeaker for wine”. Riedel have several different ranges of glasses, and different varietal-shaped glasses, but how many glasses should a wine lover have Sarah asks. Maximilian advises to start with deciding what your preferred wine is. In his household, he prefers Pinot Noir and his wife Riesling so he suggests 2 Pinot Noir glasses and 2 Riesling glasses as a beginning, while explaining that they have glasses for different budgets. Is there a difference to the taste of the wine between manufactured and handmade glasses, Sarah asks. No, is the answer and Maximilian predicts there won’t be handmade glasses in 20 years’ time as people don’t want to work in factories.

He explains the science behind how the shape of the glass helps emphasise different characteristics of the wine, wines with a lot of acidity transfer the message of the wine to the tongue, and with red wines you have three different levels of tannin so you need three different types of glass.

“I have launched in the last four years more ranges that the company did in the last thirty years” Maximilian confides as he believes consumers want choice. One of his new ranges came from a request from Krug Champagne who wanted him to develop a glass for their Krug Rosé Champagne. Many of the glasses are designed in collaboration with wine producers and recently he has spent time in Great Britain working with twenty-five producers on an English Sparkling wine glass. “When we bring forward a new collection the first people with whom I would exchange thoughts, with whom I would taste and fine tune a glass, are always the winemakers”. The new Superleggero range is a further development of the Sommelier range his grandfather introduced. It is the largest, lightest and thinnest machine glass on the market today. Terroir specific glasses? Sarah asks, not on the cards but working with young regions who have signature grapes is something he enjoys. Sarah hopes he will branch out and make a Xinomavro glass. With Maximilian Riedel it is a question of watch this space.

Running Order:-

0.00 – 17.20

“I call our glasses the loud speaker for wine”

– History of the Riedel family.
– How his grandfather Prof. Claus Riedel introduced the first wine specific glass.
– His father Georg Riedel introduces the grape varietal glass.
– How many glasses does a wine lover need?
– Advantages and disadvantages of manufactured v hand blown glass.
– Maximilian’s launch of new ranges.
– How the shape of the glass affects the taste.
17.21 – 29.18

“I have launched in the last four years more ranges than the company did in the last thirty years”

– Designing glasses with wine producers.
– The new English Sparkling Wine glass.
– Challenges and solutions.
– The new Superleggero range.
– What’s next for Riedel.