A History of Wine Glass Innovation and How to Choose the Right Glass

When it comes to enjoying wine, cocktails and spirits, the glass is more than a vessel. The shape of the glass can influence how a drink's aromas are concentrated, how it reaches the palate and ultimately how its character is perceived.

Few companies have done more to advance this idea than RIEDEL Crystal.

Founded in 1756, RIEDEL is a family-owned glassmaking company with more than 270 years of history. Across 11 generations, the company has become internationally recognized for developing glassware designed around the characteristics of specific wines and beverages.

Today, RIEDEL's philosophy is built around a simple principle: form follows function. From a large Burgundy bowl to a narrow Champagne glass, each shape is designed with the beverage's aromas, structure and style in mind.

At J.L. Hufford, we offer a carefully selected assortment of RIEDEL wine glasses, drink-specific glassware, tumblers, decanters and gift sets to help you find the right glass for the way you drink and entertain.

The History of RIEDEL: More Than 270 Years of Glassmaking

RIEDEL's story begins in 1756, when Johann Leopold Riedel established the company's glassmaking tradition.

For generations, the family focused on producing high-quality glass. But it was Claus J. Riedel, the ninth generation of the family, who fundamentally changed the way the world thought about wine glasses.

In the late 1950s, Claus Riedel began exploring the relationship between the shape of a glass and the way wine was perceived. Working with experienced wine tasters, he discovered that wines served in specifically shaped glasses could demonstrate greater balance, depth and aromatic expression than when served in generic glassware.

This work ultimately led to RIEDEL's development of varietal-specific stemware—glasses designed around particular grape varieties and styles of wine.

The company's groundbreaking Sommeliers collection, introduced in 1973, became the world's first wine glass collection featuring shapes specifically designed for different wines.

That concept remains at the heart of RIEDEL's glassware today.

Why Does the Shape of a Wine Glass Matter?

A wine glass affects much more than presentation.

RIEDEL identifies four important aspects of the drinking experience that can be influenced by glass shape:

• Bouquet: The bowl helps direct aromas toward the nose.

• Texture: The way wine flows from the bowl to the palate can influence the perception of body and tannins.

• Flavor: The size and diameter of the rim help determine how wine enters the mouth.

• Finish: The right glass can help emphasize the wine's length and character.

This is why a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinot Noir may benefit from dramatically different glasses.

A full-bodied Cabernet generally benefits from a larger bowl that gives the wine room to open, while Pinot Noir is better suited to a broad, rounded bowl designed to emphasize its delicate aromas.

The goal isn't simply to own a collection of beautiful wine glasses. It is to choose a shape that allows the beverage to express itself.

RIEDEL Wine Glasses by Varietal

One of the easiest ways to understand RIEDEL is to think about the glass according to the wine you are drinking.

Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Glasses

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are typically full-bodied red wines with significant fruit character, structure and tannins.

A larger red wine bowl gives these wines room to develop while concentrating their aromas toward the rim.

The RIEDEL Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glass is an excellent choice for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other structured red wines. Its generous bowl is designed to give fuller-bodied wines room to breathe while highlighting their aromatic character.

J.L. Hufford also carries the RIEDEL GRAPE Cabernet/Merlot glass, a versatile option designed for both these red wines and crafted cocktails.

Perfect for:

• Cabernet Sauvignon

• Merlot

• Bordeaux-style red blends

• Other full-bodied red wines

• Crafted cocktails when using the GRAPE Cabernet/Merlot glass

Pinot Noir & Burgundy Glasses

Pinot Noir is known for its aromatic complexity, acidity and relatively delicate structure. It benefits from a broad bowl that allows the wine's aromas to develop.

RIEDEL's Pinot Noir glasses feature a wider, rounded bowl that helps emphasize the wine's aromatic profile.

The RIEDEL Performance Pinot Noir Glass is an excellent choice for Pinot Noir and other aromatic red wines.

For a more traditional and highly refined option, the RIEDEL Superleggero Burgundy Grand Cru offers a precision-focused design for serious wine enthusiasts.

Perfect for:

• Pinot Noir

• Burgundy

• Nebbiolo

• Other aromatic red wines

• Aperitivo cocktails when using the RIEDEL GRAPE Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo glass

J.L. Hufford also carries the RIEDEL GRAPE Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo glass, demonstrating how modern RIEDEL glassware can bridge wine and cocktail service.

Chardonnay & Viognier Glasses

Not every white wine belongs in a small, narrow glass.

Fuller-bodied and aromatic white wines such as Chardonnay and Viognier can benefit from a more generous bowl that allows aromas to develop.

The RIEDEL VINUM Viognier/Chardonnay glass is designed specifically for these styles.

The collection also includes the RIEDEL O Wine Tumbler Viognier/Chardonnay, which brings the varietal-specific concept into a stemless format.

Perfect for:

• Chardonnay

• Viognier

• Richer white wines

• Casual entertaining with the O Wine Tumbler

Sauvignon Blanc Glasses

Sauvignon Blanc is generally characterized by bright acidity and pronounced aromatics.

A glass with a narrower bowl helps focus the wine's aromas while supporting its crisp character.

The RIEDEL VINUM Sauvignon Blanc glass is designed specifically for this style of wine.

Perfect for:

• Sauvignon Blanc

• Other crisp, aromatic white wines

• Light summer wines

• Seafood and fresh vegetable dishes

Riesling & Zinfandel Glasses

RIEDEL's varietal-specific philosophy also applies to wines that occupy very different places on the spectrum.

The RIEDEL VINUM Riesling Grand Cru/Zinfandel glass is designed around wines that benefit from a carefully balanced bowl and rim.

Perfect for:

• Riesling

• Zinfandel

• Aromatic wines with bright acidity

• Wine pairings where aroma and freshness are important

Champagne & Sparkling Wine

Champagne has traditionally been associated with the flute, but RIEDEL's research has helped challenge the idea that a narrow flute is always the best choice.

RIEDEL's work with Champagne has shown that different shapes can emphasize different styles of sparkling wine. A tulip-shaped wine glass can be particularly effective for leaner Champagnes, while fuller rosé Champagnes can benefit from a larger Pinot Noir-style bowl.

For a traditional presentation, the RIEDEL VINUM Champagne Flute remains an elegant choice for sparkling wine and celebrations.

Perfect for:

• Champagne

• Prosecco

• Cava

• Sparkling wine

• Toasts and celebrations

RIEDEL Drink-Specific Glassware

RIEDEL's philosophy extends beyond wine.

The company's drink-specific glassware collection recognizes that coffee, cocktails and spirits can also benefit from carefully considered shapes.

RIEDEL Coffee Glass

Coffee deserves more than an ordinary mug when you want to turn the experience into a tasting ritual.

The RIEDEL Drink Specific Glassware Coffee Glass is designed specifically for coffee, making it an interesting choice for espresso-based drinks, specialty coffee and after-dinner coffee service.

For coffee enthusiasts, glass can also provide a visual advantage: the color, crema and layers of a carefully prepared coffee become part of the experience.

Perfect for:

• Specialty coffee

• Espresso-based drinks

• After-dinner coffee

• Coffee tasting

RIEDEL Neat Glass

The RIEDEL Drink Specific Neat Glass is designed for enjoying spirits neat.

Its shape is intended to provide a focused drinking experience while allowing the character and aroma of the spirit to come forward.

Perfect for:

• Bourbon

• Whiskey

• Scotch

• Other spirits served neat

RIEDEL Nick & Nora Large

The Nick & Nora glass has become a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts because of its elegant silhouette and practical shape.

The RIEDEL Drink Specific Nick & Nora Large is particularly well suited to cocktails served straight up, without ice.

Perfect for:

• Martinis

• Manhattan

• Gimlet

• Daiquiri

• Other stirred or shaken cocktails served up

RIEDEL GRAPE Martini/Cocktail Glass

The RIEDEL GRAPE Martini/Cocktail glass is designed to bring RIEDEL's varietal-specific design philosophy into cocktail service.

Its elegant bowl makes it appropriate for sophisticated cocktails served without ice.

Perfect for:

• Martinis

• Cosmopolitans

• Cocktails served up

• Modern cocktail presentations

RIEDEL Tumbler Glasses

Stemware isn't always the right answer.

For casual entertaining, cocktails, spirits and everyday drinks, RIEDEL's tumbler collections offer a more relaxed presentation without sacrificing thoughtful design.

RIEDEL Spey Double Old Fashioned Glass

The RIEDEL Spey Double Old Fashioned, or DOF, is designed for drinks served over ice.

With its substantial base and classic proportions, it works especially well for spirit-forward cocktails and whiskey drinks.

Perfect for:

• Old Fashioned

• Whiskey on the rocks

• Bourbon

• Scotch

• Negroni

• Spirit-forward cocktails

RIEDEL Spey Single Old Fashioned

The Spey Single Old Fashioned offers a smaller format for cocktails and spirits where a more compact glass is preferred.

Perfect for:

• Whiskey

• Bourbon

• Classic cocktails

• Short mixed drinks

RIEDEL Spey Longdrink

For taller cocktails and mixed drinks, the RIEDEL Spey Longdrink provides additional room for mixers, ice and garnishes.

Perfect for:

• Highballs

• Gin & tonic

• Whiskey & soda

• Rum and cola

• Long mixed drinks

RIEDEL Decanters: More Than a Beautiful Centerpiece

A great wine glass is only part of the equation.

Decanting can help separate wine from sediment and, depending on the wine, expose it to oxygen to encourage the development of aromas and flavors.

J.L. Hufford carries several RIEDEL decanters, including the RIEDEL Cabernet Decanter, RIEDEL Veloce Decanter, RIEDEL Vitis Handmade Decanter and the dramatic RIEDEL Mamba Handmade Decanter.

The Cabernet Decanter offers a more traditional solution for red wine service, while the Veloce, Vitis and Mamba demonstrate the more sculptural side of RIEDEL's design philosophy.

When should you use a decanter?

Consider decanting when:

• A young red wine needs additional exposure to oxygen.

• An older wine contains sediment.

• You want to improve the presentation of wine at the table.

• You are hosting a wine-focused dinner or tasting.

• You want to make the act of serving wine part of the experience.

RIEDEL Superleggero: Precision in a Lightweight Design

For wine enthusiasts who want extremely refined stemware, RIEDEL Superleggero represents the company's pursuit of precision.

The collection was introduced in 2023 as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the original Sommeliers collection. RIEDEL describes Superleggero as a premium machine-made collection inspired by the company's history of varietal-specific glass design.

J.L. Hufford currently offers the RIEDEL Superleggero Bordeaux Grand Cru and Superleggero Burgundy Grand Cru.

These are particularly appealing to serious wine enthusiasts who want specialized glasses for structured Bordeaux-style reds and aromatic Burgundy-style wines.

RIEDEL VINUM: A Classic Approach to Varietal-Specific Glassware

The VINUM collection is an excellent entry point for anyone who wants to explore the benefits of varietal-specific glassware without immediately moving into the most specialized premium stemware.

J.L. Hufford offers several VINUM options, including:

• VINUM Champagne Flute

• VINUM Pinot Noir

• VINUM Riesling Grand Cru/Zinfandel

• VINUM Sauvignon Blanc

• VINUM Viognier/Chardonnay

These glasses make it easier to build a wine glass collection around the wines you drink most frequently.

Which RIEDEL Glass Should You Choose?

If you're building a RIEDEL collection for the first time, start with the wines and drinks you enjoy most.

Do You Really Need Different Wine Glasses for Different Wines?

For casual drinking, absolutely not. One good all-purpose wine glass can serve many purposes.

But if you enjoy exploring wine, varietal-specific glassware can add another dimension to the experience.

RIEDEL's philosophy is that different wines have different aromatic profiles, acidity, tannin structures and textures. A glass can be designed to complement those characteristics rather than treating every wine the same way.

Think of it much like cooking.

A chef doesn't use the same knife for every task. The right tool makes a particular job easier.

Wine glasses work in much the same way.

How to Build a RIEDEL Glassware Collection

You don't need a cabinet full of glasses to get started.

For most wine drinkers, we recommend beginning with three categories:

1. A Full-Bodied Red Wine Glass

Choose a Cabernet/Merlot style glass if you frequently drink Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Bordeaux-style blends.

2. An Aromatic Red or Burgundy Glass

A Pinot Noir/Burgundy glass is ideal if Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo and other aromatic red wines are regular favorites.

3. A White Wine Glass

A Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier/Chardonnay glass gives you flexibility for different styles of white wine.

From there, add specialty glasses based on your drinking habits: Champagne, cocktails, whiskey or coffee.

The RIEDEL Difference: Glassware Designed Around the Drink

What makes RIEDEL different is its longstanding commitment to the idea that glass shape should serve a purpose.

The company has spent decades developing glassware through sensory workshops and experimenting with bowl shape, size and rim diameter.

That philosophy has evolved from the original varietal-specific wine glasses of the 1950s into today's extensive collection of wine, spirits, cocktail and coffee glassware.

Whether you're opening a special bottle of Cabernet, preparing a classic Martini, enjoying an Old Fashioned or brewing exceptional coffee, the right RIEDEL glass can turn an everyday drink into a more intentional experience.

Explore RIEDEL Glassware at J.L. Hufford

At J.L. Hufford, we believe the tools surrounding a great beverage matter.

Our RIEDEL collection brings together wine glasses, drink-specific glassware, tumblers, decanters and gift sets for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Explore the collection and find the RIEDEL glass designed for your favorite wine, spirit, cocktail or coffee.

Shop RIEDEL Glassware at J.L. Hufford