Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glasses (6 Pack)
Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glasses (6 Pack)
Trade Customers Only
This product is available exclusively to approved Trade customers.
Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glass
The Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glass (0884/0) is part of the most technologically advanced collection Riedel has produced in machine-made crystal. The defining innovation is the optic impact: a series of precision-pressed facets in the bowl that are both a design feature and a functional one. The facets increase the inner surface area of the bowl beyond what a smooth glass of equivalent volume provides, which means more wine in contact with more air at any given moment, faster aromatic development, and a more complete expression of the wine from an earlier point in the pour.
Performance was co-designed by Georg and Maximilian Riedel and represents the first time Riedel has incorporated this light-refracting bowl technology into any of their ranges. The Cabernet/Merlot shape at 834ml with a 105mm rim is calibrated specifically for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Bordeaux blends: The large 105mm bowl allows the dense aromatic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon to open fully, with the optic impact faceting increasing surface area to accelerate aeration and reveal the secondary complexity beneath the primary fruit. Machine-made in lead-free crystal with long fine stems and large stable bases, certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles, and sold in sets of 6 for professional restaurant use.
Key features of the Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glass:
- Optic impact faceted bowl: Precision-pressed facets in the bowl increase the inner surface area, accelerating aromatic development and bringing forward the full complexity of the wine faster than a smooth bowl of equivalent volume
- Large 105mm bowl with optic impact faceting; designed to showcase structured, complex red wines
- Co-designed by Georg and Maximilian Riedel: The first Riedel series to incorporate optic impact bowl technology, developed through hands-on workshops with winemakers to validate the design for each varietal shape
- Long fine stem and large stable base: The Performance aesthetic: elegant proportion with a practical base that resists tip-over on the restaurant table
- Machine-made precision crystal: Riedel describes Performance as "premium machine-made" to reflect the precision consistency of the production process
- Covers Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Domina, Fronsac
- 1,500-cycle dishwasher certification: EN 12875-1/2 certified for sustained commercial restaurant service
- Set of 6, trade-only: Restaurant-format case quantity; consumer versions available in sets of 2
What Restaurant Professionals Ask About This Glass
What exactly is the optic impact and how does it work?
The optic impact is a series of precision-pressed facets moulded into the bowl of the glass during production. They are visible as subtle ribs or ridges in the crystal that catch and refract light, which gives the bowl its distinctive visual character. Functionally, the facets increase the inner surface area of the bowl: more glass surface means more wine-to-air contact at any given liquid level, which accelerates the release of aromatic compounds and brings the wine's full aromatic complexity forward faster than a smooth bowl of equivalent volume. For a Cabernet/Merlot with significant aromatic complexity, this is the difference between a wine that needs ten minutes in the glass to open and one that shows its full character from the first pour.
How does Performance compare to the standard Riedel Restaurant range?
Both ranges are machine-made and varietal-specific, but they operate at different levels. The Restaurant range (0446 series) is Riedel's benchmark commercial glass: well-designed, durable, correctly shaped for each variety, and priced for broad trade adoption. Performance adds the optic impact bowl technology, the co-design input of Georg and Maximilian Riedel specifically for the range, and a more refined aesthetic with the long fine stem and large stable base. It is the appropriate upgrade for operations where the wine programme is a significant part of the guest experience and where the glassware is expected to communicate that seriousness visually as well as functionally.
Does the optic impact affect how the glass cleans in the dishwasher?
The facets do not trap residue or impair cleaning in a correctly maintained commercial dishwasher. The Performance range carries the same EN 12875-1/2 certification for 1,500 cycles as other Riedel machine-made ranges. The one practical consideration is drying: the facets can hold water droplets more than a smooth bowl, which means more visible water marks if the glass is not dried promptly after the cycle. Remove from the rack as soon as the cycle ends and allow to air dry standing upright, or polish with a lint-free cloth before service.
Is Performance available in sets of 12 for high-volume operations?
The Restaurant Performance range is boxed in sets of 6, which reflects its positioning as a step up from the entry-level Restaurant range rather than a high-volume house glass. For operations requiring larger quantities, multiple cases can be ordered. For high-volume trade operations where 12-packs are a practical necessity, the standard Restaurant range (0446 series) is the more appropriate choice.
How many dishwasher cycles will this glass survive?
The Riedel Restaurant Performance Cabernet/Merlot Glass is certified to EN 12875-1/2 standards for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles with no visible deterioration, corresponding to 10+ years of normal restaurant service life.
The Optic Impact and the Science of Cabernet/Merlot Service
The Performance Cabernet/Merlot glass is built for the most structured category in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, in its serious expressions from Bordeaux, Napa, Coonawarra, or Bolgheri, is a wine that rewards patience: the tannins need time and air, the secondary aromatics take longer to emerge than in lighter varieties, and the palate delivery needs a generous bowl to deliver the wine's full weight without compressing it.
The 834ml bowl is the largest in the Performance range and the right size for that job. The optic impact faceting increases the inner surface area beyond what a smooth bowl of equivalent volume would provide, which accelerates the aeration that Cabernet needs without requiring decanting. The wine opens faster, the aromatics develop more fully, and the tannin structure reads as more integrated from an earlier pour than it would in a standard bowl.
For Merlot, the same bowl works differently: the softer tannin and rounder fruit profile are given room to express their full plushness, and the aromatic surface area brings forward the fruit rather than the structure. One glass shape that works correctly for both the iron fist and the velvet glove of the Bordeaux family.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Commercial Dishwasher Use: Certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles under EN 12875-1/2. Use a rack designed for tall stemmed glassware: the 245mm height requires adequate clearance from the rack lid. The optic impact facets can hold water droplets longer than a smooth bowl; remove from the rack promptly after the cycle ends and allow to air dry upright, or polish with a lint-free cloth before service to remove any visible water marks.
Polishing: For formal wine service, steam-polish with a lint-free cloth before placing on the table. Hold by the stem throughout. The optic impact facets catch and refract light when clean and dry; finger marks on the bowl are more visible on the faceted surface than on a smooth bowl and should be removed before service.
Serving Temperature: Do not chill the glass before service. Pour at the correct wine serving temperature into a clean, dry glass at room temperature.
Handling: The long fine stem and large stable base make the Performance glass comfortable to carry and stable on the table. Hold by the stem in service. The large base provides more tip-over resistance than a narrower base would at the same stem height.
Storage: Store upright with adequate clearance for the 245mm height. Never stack or store rim-down. The stem is the primary failure point; use stemmed-glass racks with individual compartment support. Annual breakage rates for tall stemmed wine glasses in restaurant service typically run 15-20%, with the stem and rim the common failure points.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
As specialist Riedel retailers, we stock the full Restaurant Performance range and can advise on building a complete varietal-specific glass programme. Performance works alongside the standard Restaurant range for operations that want to differentiate between house pours and the wine list: the Restaurant range for the former, Performance for the latter. The full Performance range covers the major red, white, and sparkling categories from a single coherent collection. Available exclusively to trade customers.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses typically takes 3-5 working days. For urgent orders, contact us to discuss expedited options.
Can I return glasses if they don't suit our programme?
We offer a no quibble return guarantee on unopened cases in original packaging. We recommend ordering one case to trial the glass before committing to larger quantities.
What other glasses are in the Performance range?
The Restaurant Performance range includes Cabernet/Merlot, Riesling, Champagne/Sparkling Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Together the range covers the major varietal categories for a complete restaurant wine programme. All available in sets of 6 for trade customers.
Do you offer volume discounts for larger orders?
For restaurants and groups requiring significant quantities, contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements.
Can home customers purchase this glass?
The Restaurant Performance range (set of 6, SKU 0884/0) is designed for trade use. Consumers looking for the same Performance shape in smaller quantities should look at the consumer Riedel Performance range, available in sets of 2.
