Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru Glasses
Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru Glasses
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Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru Glass
The Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru glass has been in production since 1958 and its design holds a place in the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art. Mouth-blown from lead-free crystal in Austria, it was described by Decanter magazine as the finest Burgundy glass of all time - a claim that rests on its 1050ml bowl, the slightly flared lip that directs wine precisely onto the front palate, and decades of use with serious Burgundy. It is available as a single glass or a set of 2.
Riedel developed this shape to work with wines where fruit character and acidity need careful balance. The large bowl allows the bouquet to develop fully, whilst the flared lip delivers a controlled flow that highlights fruit whilst keeping the natural acidity of the wine in check. It is an unforgiving glass by design - Riedel's own description of it as a "beautiful monster" is apt: a lesser wine will have nowhere to hide, but a genuinely great Pinot Noir, Barolo or Barbaresco will be presented at its best.
- Mouth-blown in Austria: Part of Riedel's premier handmade Sommeliers collection, crafted by skilled glassblowers
- 1050ml bowl capacity: One of the largest bowls in the Sommeliers range, providing generous space for aromatic development
- Flared lip design: Directs wine onto the front palate, highlighting fruit character whilst balancing acidity - a specific design choice for Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo-based wines
- Museum-recognised design: In the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York
- Lead-free crystal: Austrian-made, with exceptional clarity and lightness
- Available as a single glass or a set of 2
This glass is designed for those who drink serious Burgundy, Barolo or Barbaresco with any regularity - wines where the nuance of delivery genuinely matters. If you are opening bottles where the grape variety and provenance are the point, this glass is built for the purpose.
What Customers Ask About the Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru Glass
Which wines is this glass designed for?
Riedel developed this glass specifically for Pinot Noir-based Burgundy, along with Barolo and Barbaresco - wines made from Nebbiolo, which shares some of Pinot Noir's structural characteristics: high acidity, complex aromatics, and a fruit profile that benefits from precise delivery onto the front palate. The flared lip and large bowl are designed to highlight fruit whilst keeping the marked acidity of these wines in balance. If you primarily drink full-bodied structured reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, the Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru glass would be more appropriate.
Is this sold as a single glass or a pair?
This glass is available as a single glass or as a set of 2. Please select your preferred option from the variants on this page. The price displayed will update accordingly. Buying a single glass first is a practical way to assess whether the Sommeliers range suits your preferences before committing to a full set.
What does the flared lip actually do?
Riedel's design philosophy holds that the shape of the rim determines where wine first contacts the palate, and that this affects taste perception. The slightly flared lip on this glass is designed to direct wine onto the front palate - the area most receptive to fruit character - rather than the sides or back of the mouth where acidity and tannin are more pronounced. For Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo-based wines, where fruit can be delicate relative to the wine's acidity, this precision of delivery is the design objective.
How does this compare to the Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru glass?
The Burgundy Grand Cru has a larger bowl (1050ml vs 860ml) but a shorter overall height (248mm vs 270mm), giving it a broader, rounder profile. The key functional difference is the flared lip, which is specific to the Burgundy shape and absent on the Bordeaux version. Each is designed for a fundamentally different wine style: the Bordeaux shape suits tannic, fruit-forward reds where aeration is the priority; the Burgundy shape suits aromatic, high-acid reds where front-palate fruit delivery matters most.
Can I put this in the dishwasher?
We would strongly recommend handwashing the Sommeliers collection. The 1050ml bowl on this glass is particularly wide, making it vulnerable to contact with other items in a dishwasher, and the mouth-blown crystal walls are exceptionally thin. Warm water, mild detergent, and a lint-free cloth will maintain the glass in excellent condition and significantly reduce the risk of breakage.
A Glass with a Documented History
Few wine glasses have an independent record of recognition to point to. The Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru has two: Decanter magazine's description of it as the finest Burgundy glass of all time, and inclusion in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York - where it sits alongside objects selected for the quality and influence of their design rather than commercial success.
The shape dates to 1958, which predates the widespread adoption of varietal-specific glassware as a concept. Riedel's argument - that bowl geometry and rim shape affect how wine reaches the palate - was unconventional at the time and is now the basis of an entire product category. The Burgundy Grand Cru is where that argument was first made clearly, and it remains the reference point for the shape. Whether you experience the difference as dramatic or subtle is a matter of individual palate, but the design rationale is well documented and consistent.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Handwashing (Strongly Recommended): Use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Hold the glass by the base and support the bowl from underneath when cleaning the interior. The 1050ml bowl is wide enough to accommodate a soft cloth or sponge comfortably without strain. Never twist the bowl whilst holding the stem. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a lint-free microfibre or linen cloth.
Drying: Hold the base firmly in one hand and polish the bowl gently with a cloth in the other. Do not grip both base and bowl simultaneously, as this creates torsional stress on the stem. The broad bowl on this glass benefits from a wide polishing cloth for an efficient, streak-free finish.
Dishwasher (Not Recommended): The Sommeliers collection is mouth-blown with very thin crystal walls. The wide bowl of the Burgundy Grand Cru is particularly at risk in a dishwasher - it extends further than most glasses and is more likely to contact other items or rack components. If machine washing is unavoidable, use the gentlest cycle at no more than 50°C, with generous spacing in the upper rack, and remove promptly at the end of the cycle.
Storage: Store upright and never stacked or rim-down. The wide bowl requires more shelf depth than standard wine glasses - allow sufficient clearance. Padded dividers or individual storage pouches are worthwhile for a collection at this level.
Water Spots: A small amount of white vinegar added to the final rinse water will remove stubborn spots. Dry immediately after rinsing to prevent new spots forming.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
We have specialised in Riedel glassware since our founding in 1972. The Sommeliers collection has been central to that specialism for decades, and we are well placed to advise on which shape suits your wines and your drinking habits. If you are choosing between the Burgundy and Bordeaux Grand Cru shapes, or weighing Sommeliers against other collections, contact us before purchasing.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns (Unopened Items)
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Our Half-Price Replacement guarantee covers accidental breakage within 2 years of purchase - you pay half the current retail price for a replacement, with proof of purchase and evidence of the breakage. Online orders are logged automatically. For a handmade glass at this level, that cover is worth having.
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. All glassware is carefully packed with protective packaging, with particular care taken for mouth-blown crystal like the Sommeliers collection.
Can I return the glass if I change my mind?
Yes - we offer a no quibble return guarantee on unopened glassware in original packaging within 30 days of purchase. We cannot accept returns on opened or used glassware due to hygiene and quality control requirements. If you are uncertain whether this is the right glass for your wines, please contact us before purchasing.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
If you accidentally break a glass within 2 years of purchase, we will replace it at half the current retail price. You will need proof of purchase (receipt, bank statement, or online order confirmation) and evidence of the breakage - a photo is sufficient. Online purchases are logged automatically; for in-store purchases, ask us to log the sale at the time.
What if I have seen this glass cheaper elsewhere?
We offer a price match guarantee. If you find this identical product - same collection, same glass shape, same pack quantity - available from a competitor at a lower price on the same day, let us know and we will match it. Contact us via our contact page with the details.
Are these glasses marked to confirm they are genuine Riedel?
Authentic Riedel Sommeliers glasses carry the Riedel mark, typically etched into the base. All glasses sold by The Riedel Shop are genuine Riedel products. We are an authorised UK retailer and source stock directly from Riedel.
Is this suitable as a gift?
The Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru glass comes in Riedel's presentation packaging, which is appropriate for gifting. Select either the single glass or set of 2 from the variants on this page. Both options are available.
