Riedel Restaurant Viognier / Chardonnay Glasses (12 Pack)

Quick Overview: Riedel Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay glasses (pack of 12) with 350ml capacity - professional-grade crystal certified for 1,000+ dishwasher cycles, designed for full-bodied white wines with low acidity, trade-only for hospitality operations.

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What Hospitality Professionals Ask About Riedel Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay Glass

Riedel designed this glass for full-bodied white wines with low acidity and rich flavours, particularly Viognier and Chardonnay. The bowl geometry works for both young wines (where it enhances freshness and fruity flavours) and older, oak-aged examples (where it showcases nutty, spicy characteristics). This makes it versatile for wine lists spanning unoaked Australian Chardonnay through to aged white Burgundy. The glass also suits Marsanne, Roussanne, and similar full-bodied whites. If your wine list focuses on high-acidity whites like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, consider other Restaurant collection options designed for those profiles.

Full-bodied white wines like Viognier and oak-aged Chardonnay typically have lower acidity than crisper whites, which can make them taste heavy or flabby in the wrong glass. Riedel's bowl geometry directs wine to palate areas that balance the perception of richness and alcohol against the lower acidity, preventing the wine from overwhelming your palate. The shape emphasises the velvety texture and fruity flavours whilst ensuring a long, balanced finish rather than a heavy, cloying one. This geometry makes full-bodied whites more food-friendly and approachable for customers.

Chardonnay shows dramatically different characteristics depending on winemaking - unoaked examples taste fresh and fruit-forward, whilst heavily oaked versions develop rich, buttery, spicy notes. This glass's design accommodates both ends of the spectrum by balancing freshness in young wines against complexity in aged examples. The 350ml capacity and bowl geometry ensure neither style dominates - young Chardonnay stays vibrant, whilst oak-aged versions show their texture and development without becoming heavy. This versatility makes the glass practical for restaurants with diverse Chardonnay selections.

Independent testing certifies these glasses for 1,000+ commercial dishwasher cycles under EN 12875-1/2 standards with no demonstrable change to shine or quality. In normal restaurant usage, this translates to approximately 10 years of service life. The crystal glass construction provides genuine durability for high-volume commercial operations rather than just technical dishwasher compatibility.

No, this glass is designed specifically for full-bodied whites with low acidity. Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc typically have high acidity and lighter body, requiring different bowl geometry to emphasise their crisp, refreshing characteristics. Using this glass for high-acidity wines would make them taste duller and less vibrant than intended. For Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and similar crisp whites, consider the Restaurant Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc glass instead.

Understanding Full-Bodied White Wine Service

Full-bodied white wines present unique service challenges in hospitality operations. Unlike crisp, high-acid whites that remain vibrant in almost any glass, wines like Viognier and oak-aged Chardonnay require careful presentation to balance their rich texture, moderate alcohol (often 13-14.5%), and lower acidity. Served incorrectly, these wines can taste heavy, alcoholic, or lacking in freshness - particularly problematic when trying to sell premium bottles to customers.

The Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay glass addresses this through bowl geometry that directs wine to specific palate areas. The shape emphasises the velvety, almost oily texture that makes these wines distinctive whilst balancing richness against the lower acidity that could otherwise make them seem flabby. The 350ml capacity provides enough volume for complex aromatics to develop without excessive size that would warm the wine too quickly.

The glass's versatility across young and aged examples proves particularly valuable for restaurant wine programmes. Young, unoaked Chardonnay or fresh Viognier shows bright fruit character and approachability, whilst aged white Burgundy or oak-aged New World Chardonnay reveals nutty, spicy complexity and developed texture. This range means restaurants can stock one white wine glass type for multiple premium offerings rather than maintaining separate glassware for different Chardonnay styles.

For hospitality operations, the combination of varietal-specific performance with EN 12875-1/2 certification provides the commercial practicality that makes Restaurant glassware economically viable. At £4.79 plus VAT per glass with 1,000+ cycle durability, these glasses deliver professional white wine service at a fraction of the cost of replacing consumer-grade stemware regularly.

Specifications

Care & Use Instructions

Commercial Dishwasher Use: Restaurant glasses are certified for commercial dishwasher operations under EN 12875-1/2 standards. Use standard commercial dishwashing cycles with professional-grade detergent. Space glasses in racks to prevent contact with other items during the wash cycle. Remove promptly and allow to air dry with racks open. The crystal glass construction withstands high-temperature cycles and aggressive detergents that would damage consumer-grade stemware. Independent testing confirms 1,000+ cycle durability with no demonstrable quality deterioration.

Loading Best Practices: Position glasses securely in dishwasher racks to prevent tipping or contact with other items. The 203mm height and 79mm diameter fit standard commercial dishwasher racks. Ensure adequate spacing - glasses that knock together during wash cycles will chip regardless of material quality. Use rack systems designed for stemware rather than general-purpose racks for best results.

Temperature Considerations: White wines require cooler serving temperatures than reds (typically 8-12°C for full-bodied whites). Ensure glasses are at appropriate temperature before service - warm glasses will quickly raise wine temperature, affecting perception of freshness and acidity balance. Store clean glasses in temperature-controlled areas away from hot kitchens.

Detergent Selection: Use commercial dishwasher detergent formulated for glassware. Avoid heavily abrasive compounds or those with excessive lemon scent, which can affect clarity over extended use. Quality detergent preserves the crystal brilliance that distinguishes these glasses from standard soda-lime alternatives.

Handwashing (if preferred): If handwashing, use warm water with mild detergent. Hold glasses by the base, never twist the bowl whilst holding the stem. Rinse thoroughly and air dry upright or polish immediately with lint-free cloth. However, these glasses are specifically engineered for machine washing.

Storage: Store glasses upright in appropriate commercial racks or shelving. Never stack or store rim-down. The 152g weight per glass provides stability without excessive bulk. Proper storage systems reduce breakage from handling accidents.

Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?

Since establishing The Riedel Shop, we've specialised in Riedel glassware for both consumer and professional markets. We understand hospitality operations require reliable supply chains, consistent product quality, and expertise in selecting appropriate glassware for different wine programmes. The Restaurant collection is available exclusively to trade customers - hospitality businesses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering operations. As specialist Riedel retailers, we provide the product knowledge and service standards that professional buyers expect.

Our Guarantees to You

• ✓ No Quibble Returns
• ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
• ✓ Price Match Guarantee

Our guarantees apply to Restaurant collection purchases. For hospitality operations considering bulk orders beyond the standard 12-glass packs, contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements.

Read our full guarantee policy →

Questions? Visit our contact page

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses typically takes 3-5 working days. For hospitality operations requiring urgent delivery for new openings or events, contact us to discuss expedited shipping options. We pack Restaurant collection glasses securely for commercial transit.

We offer a no quibble return guarantee on unopened packs in original packaging. For hospitality operations evaluating glassware for new wine programmes, we recommend ordering one pack initially to test with your wine list before committing to larger quantities.

No, the £4.79 price is plus VAT. Including VAT at 20%, each glass costs £5.75. For a pack of 12 glasses, the total is £57.48 plus VAT (£68.98 including VAT). VAT-registered hospitality businesses can typically reclaim VAT, making the effective cost £4.79 per glass.

For hospitality groups requiring multiple packs (typically 10+ packs for venue refits or multi-site operations), contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements. We work with restaurant groups, hotel chains, and bar operators to provide appropriate pricing for bulk orders.

No, the Restaurant collection is available exclusively to trade customers - hospitality businesses including bars, restaurants, hotels, catering operations, and similar commercial operations. This trade-only availability reflects the collection's focus on professional use and commercial pack sizing. Home users seeking varietal-specific Riedel glassware for Chardonnay and Viognier should consider consumer collections such as Vinum, Performance, or Veritas.

Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay and Viognier taste best at 10-12°C - warmer than crisp whites but cooler than reds. Too cold and you'll suppress the complex aromatics and rich texture; too warm and the alcohol becomes prominent whilst the wine loses freshness. Many restaurants serve white wines too cold, particularly premium bottles. Allowing these wines to warm slightly in the glass often reveals their best characteristics.

It depends on your wine list composition. If you serve primarily full-bodied, lower-acid whites (Chardonnay, Viognier, white Burgundy), this glass suits most offerings. However, if your list includes significant high-acid whites (Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio), consider also stocking the Restaurant Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc glass. Many operations find two white wine glass types (one for full-bodied, one for crisp styles) covers their entire list effectively whilst remaining manageable for storage and service.