Riedel Decanter Amadeo
Riedel Decanter Amadeo
- Low stock - 5 items left
- Inventory on the way
- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
Riedel Amadeo Decanter
The Riedel Amadeo Decanter represents the masterpiece in Riedel's decanter collection. Originally created to celebrate the company's 250th anniversary, this extraordinary piece has become one of Riedel's most popular and recognisable products. Now available in limited edition country-specific colour combinations, the Amadeo combines functional excellence with artistic beauty, making it both a performance tool and a conversation piece.
The decanter's distinctive design features two openings - a wide opening for pouring wine in, and a narrow opening for decanting wine out. This challenging design creates maximum surface area contact as a standard 750ml bottle fills the decanter to its widest point, allowing exceptional aeration. Each Amadeo is mouth-blown by hand in Tyrol, Austria, meaning every piece is totally unique with subtle variations that confirm its handcrafted authenticity.
Key features of the Riedel Amadeo Decanter:
- Anniversary heritage: Created to commemorate Riedel's 250th anniversary, representing centuries of glassmaking expertise
- Dual-opening design: Wide opening for pouring in, narrow opening for serving out - a technically challenging design that ensures maximum aeration
- Optimal aeration capacity: A standard 750ml bottle fills to the decanter's widest point, maximising wine-to-air surface contact
- Hand-blown uniqueness: Each decanter is mouth-blown in Tyrol, making every piece one-of-a-kind
- Limited edition colours: Country-specific colour combinations available in Red White Blue (UK, USA, France, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands), Black Red Yellow (Germany, Australian Aborigines), Black Yellow Red (Belgium, Uganda), Red Yellow Red (Spain), Yellow Blue (Sweden, Ukraine), and Red White Green (Italy, Hungary, Mexico, Wales)
- Universal compatibility: Suitable for all wine types - red, white, and fortified wines all benefit from proper aeration
- Generous capacity: 1500ml capacity accommodates two standard bottles with room for aeration
This decanter suits serious wine enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate both functional design and artistic craftsmanship. The limited edition colour options allow you to celebrate your heritage or add a distinctive aesthetic element to your wine service, whilst the proven design ensures your wines receive optimal aeration regardless of varietal or age.
What Customers Ask About Riedel Amadeo Decanter
Which wines benefit most from the Amadeo decanter?
The Amadeo is suitable for all wines. Young, tannic red wines benefit significantly from the maximum aeration the wide design provides, softening tannins and opening up aromatics. Older wines can be decanted more gently using the pouring angle. White wines and even fortified wines like Port benefit from the aeration and presentation. The generous capacity means you can decant a full bottle with plenty of room for wine to breathe, or combine wines for comparison tastings.
How do I use the dual-opening design?
Pour wine into the decanter through the wide opening at one end, allowing it to fill to the widest point for maximum aeration. When serving, tip the decanter and pour from the narrow opening at the opposite end, which provides controlled flow and prevents drips. The design requires slightly more care than traditional decanters but offers superior aeration and distinctive presentation. Practice with water first if you're unfamiliar with the design.
What do the different colour combinations represent?
The limited edition country-specific colours allow you to celebrate your national heritage or preferred country.
- Red White Blue suits UK, USA, France, Norway, Czech Republic, and Netherlands;
- Black Red Yellow represents Germany and Australian Aborigines;
- Black Yellow Red is for Belgium and Uganda;
- Red Yellow Red celebrates Spain;
- Yellow Blue represents Sweden and Ukraine;
- Red White Green suits Italy, Hungary, Mexico, and Wales.
Each colour combination is applied by hand during the glassblowing process, making every decanter unique.
Is the Amadeo difficult to clean?
The unique shape requires more attention than standard decanters. Rinse immediately after use with warm water, and use decanter cleaning beads or a flexible decanter brush to reach all interior surfaces. The dual openings actually make cleaning easier than single-opening sculptural decanters, as you can access the interior from both ends. Never use abrasive materials or extremely hot water. Allow to air dry completely upside down on a decanter drying stand.
How much wine should I put in the Amadeo?
A standard 750ml bottle fills the Amadeo to its widest point - the optimal level for maximum aeration. You can decant less (down to about 500ml), but a single bottle provides the ideal balance of surface area contact and presentation. The wide base provides stability even when filled to capacity.
The Story Behind the Amadeo
In 2006, Riedel celebrated 250 years of family glassmaking tradition. To commemorate this milestone, they created the Amadeo - a decanter that would embody both their technical mastery and artistic vision. The name "Amadeo" references "beloved of God" in Latin, reflecting the reverence with which Riedel approaches the marriage of wine and glass.
The Amadeo's distinctive form challenged Riedel's master glassblowers. Creating a functional decanter with two openings, perfect balance despite an asymmetric shape, and wall thickness that's both delicate and durable required exceptional skill. The fact that each piece is mouth-blown means slight variations occur naturally - no two Amadeos are identical, adding to their collectability and charm.
The limited edition country-specific colours transform the Amadeo from purely functional to personally meaningful. Whether celebrating your own heritage or expressing appreciation for a particular wine region, the colour combinations add narrative depth to an already extraordinary piece. The coloured elements are incorporated during the glassblowing process, becoming integral to the crystal rather than applied afterwards.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Immediate Rinsing: Rinse the Amadeo with warm water immediately after use to prevent wine residue from drying. The sooner you rinse, the easier cleaning becomes. Never leave wine sitting in the decanter overnight.
Deep Cleaning: Use decanter cleaning beads or a flexible decanter brush to reach all interior surfaces through both openings. Fill with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent, swirl gently (cover both openings), then rinse thoroughly multiple times to remove all soap residue. For stubborn stains or cloudiness, use a specialist decanter cleaning solution or a mixture of warm water with white vinegar or denture cleaning tablets.
Drying: After rinsing, drain as much water as possible through both openings. Place the decanter upside down on a decanter drying stand or prop it at an angle to allow complete air drying. Never dry with a cloth inside the decanter as this can leave lint or potentially scratch the interior. Allow several hours for complete drying - any remaining moisture can cause musty odours or water spots.
Handling: Always hold the Amadeo by its base when filled. The unique shape means the centre of gravity shifts depending on fill level, so use two hands when carrying a filled decanter. Place on a stable, flat surface away from table edges. The hand-blown crystal is durable but requires respect - this is not a decanter for casual use.
Storage: Store in a safe location where it won't be knocked. Ideally, keep in original packaging or a padded storage area. Ensure the decanter is completely dry before storing to prevent musty odours. Store upright or at a stable angle, never balanced precariously.
Removing Cloudiness: If the decanter develops cloudiness from hard water deposits, fill with equal parts warm water and white vinegar, let sit for several hours, then rinse thoroughly. For persistent cloudiness, specialist crystal cleaning products are available.
Important: The Amadeo is not dishwasher safe. The hand-blown crystal and unique shape require careful handwashing only.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
Since establishing The Riedel Shop, we've specialised in Riedel's innovative glassware and decanters, building expertise in helping customers select pieces that enhance their wine experience. The Amadeo represents the pinnacle of Riedel's decanter craftsmanship, and we're proud to offer this masterpiece with our comprehensive guarantees.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
We believe you shouldn't have to take a risk when purchasing glassware. Our Half-Price Replacement policy covers accidental breakage for 2 years from purchase with proof of purchase, giving you confidence to use your Amadeo regularly rather than keeping it as display-only. This guarantee is particularly valuable for handcrafted pieces like the Amadeo.
Read our full guarantee policy →
Questions? Visit our contact page
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses typically takes 3-5 working days. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. We pack all glassware and decanters carefully with extensive protective packaging to ensure safe arrival, with particular care taken for handcrafted pieces like the Amadeo.
Can I return the decanter if I don't like it after using it?
We offer a no quibble return guarantee that allows you to return goods even after use. The items must be in a resaleable condition and in their original packaging. Please wrap or box items appropriately for transit to avoid damage to goods or boxes, particularly important for handcrafted crystal like the Amadeo.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
If you accidentally break your decanter within 2 years of purchase, we'll replace it at half the current retail price. You'll need proof of purchase (receipt, bank statement, or order confirmation if purchased online) and evidence of the breakage (a photo is fine). We log your purchase at point of sale, or online orders are automatically recorded in our system.
Are Riedel decanters marked with the brand name?
Authentic Riedel decanters typically feature subtle branding. The Amadeo carries the Riedel mark, confirming authenticity. All decanters purchased from The Riedel Shop are genuine Riedel products sourced directly from the manufacturer.
Do you offer gift packaging?
The Riedel Amadeo Decanter comes in Riedel's premium packaging, which is suitable for gifting and provides appropriate protection for the hand-blown crystal. This is an exceptional gift for serious wine enthusiasts and collectors.
Will the colours fade or change over time?
No, the country-specific colours are incorporated into the crystal during the glassblowing process, not applied as a surface coating. They are permanent and won't fade with use, washing, or exposure to light. The colours are an integral part of the crystal itself.
Is the Amadeo purely decorative or truly functional?
The Amadeo is absolutely functional. Whilst it's beautiful enough to display, it's designed first and foremost as a working decanter. The unique shape provides exceptional aeration - when a standard bottle fills to the widest point, you achieve maximum wine-to-air surface contact. Many customers use their Amadeo regularly whilst also appreciating its aesthetic qualities.
How stable is the Amadeo when filled?
Despite its sculptural appearance, the Amadeo is surprisingly stable when filled. The wide base provides excellent stability on flat surfaces. However, due to the asymmetric design and hand-blown nature, always place on a level, stable surface away from table edges. Use two hands when carrying a filled decanter.
Can I choose which country-specific colour combination I receive?
Yes, the limited edition country-specific colours are available as variants. Select your preferred colour combination when ordering. Each colour combination celebrates specific countries and regions, allowing you to personalise your Amadeo to reflect your heritage or preferences.
Understanding Wine Decanting
Decanting serves multiple purposes beyond simply transferring wine from bottle to vessel. Young wines benefit from aeration - exposure to oxygen softens harsh tannins and allows aromatics to develop. The Amadeo's wide design maximises this surface contact, making it particularly effective for young, structured wines that need time to open up.
Older wines require gentler handling. Decanting separates wine from sediment that naturally develops during ageing, ensuring clarity in your glass. The Amadeo's dual openings allow you to pour carefully, watching sediment approach the bottle's shoulder and stopping before it enters the decanter. The controlled pouring spout prevents drips and allows precise serving.
Even white wines and fortified wines can benefit from decanting. White wines often show improved aromatics and texture after brief aeration, whilst vintage Port and other fortified wines may contain sediment requiring separation. The Amadeo's versatility means one exceptional decanter serves all your wine needs, regardless of style or age.
Collecting and Investment Value
The Amadeo occupies a unique position as both functional tool and collectible art piece. Limited edition colour combinations, combined with each decanter's handmade uniqueness, create natural scarcity. Riedel's 250th anniversary significance adds historical context that appeals to collectors of fine glassware and wine accessories.
Whilst we cannot make investment claims, handcrafted Riedel pieces from special editions have historically maintained their value well. The Amadeo's continued popularity since its 2006 introduction, combined with the technical skill required to produce each piece, suggests enduring appeal. Whether you view it as a working decanter, display piece, or both, the Amadeo represents exceptional craftsmanship that transcends purely functional considerations.
