Global Glassware Masters Make Wine Glass for NZ Pinot Noir

3 April 2013

Global Glassware Masters to Create Wine Glass for Central Otago Pinot Noir

The Austrian director of the esteemed Riedel Glass Company, Georg J. Riedel has travelled to Queenstown to develop a specialty wine glass for Central Otago Pinot Noir in consultation with a group of New Zealand’s leading wine experts.

More than 20 wine producers and writers, including Master of Wine Bob Campbell, took part in a blind glassware taste test with Georg at Jacks Point, Queenstown on Tuesday 19 March to help Riedel create the perfect glass shape for Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Georg is a 10th generation member of the Riedel dynasty, which is renowned for producing high-quality, wine-friendly stemware which delivers the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of a wine to the senses.

He has spent the past 35 years travelling the world educating wine lovers on Riedel glassware, and says Central Otago Pinot Noir was selected for the new wine glass because of its quality and intensity.

“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.

“Riedel educates around 40,000 people each year using wines from different regions and we are excited to be able to develop a glass that will not only bring out the best characteristics in Central Otago Pinot Noir, but also showcase some of New Zealand’s finest wines on a global stage.”

Blair Walter, chief winemaker for Felton Road and Head of Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd, is excited about the exposure the new glass will generate for locally produced wine.

“Riedel is internationally recognised as the crème de la crème of glassware and it was a privilege to be selected for the Central Otago Pinot Noir wine glass testing with Georg, who is considered a legend in the industry.

“Many of the world’s most influential sommeliers and wine writers are devoted fans of the Riedel range and the introduction of the new Central Otago Pinot Noir glass will shine the spotlight on the quality and taste of locally produced wine.”

The Riedel Central Otago Pinot Noir glass will be developed over the next year and released by Hancocks Wine & Spirit Merchants in 2014.

About Riedel

The Riedel family has never stamped its name on a single bottle of wine. But over the past 50 years, this Austrian clan of master glassmakers has done more to enhance the appreciation of wine than almost any winemaking dynasty. Claus Riedel was the first person in the long history of the glass to design its shape according to the character of the wine. He is thus the inventor of the functional wine glass. "The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make." (Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate).

ENDS

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