Riedel Restaurant Viognier / Chardonnay Glasses (12 Pack)
Riedel Restaurant Viognier / Chardonnay Glasses (12 Pack)
Trade Customers Only
This product is available exclusively to approved Trade customers.
Riedel Restaurant Viognier / Chardonnay Glass
The Riedel Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay glass addresses the specific challenges of serving full-bodied white wines with low acidity and rich flavour profiles in commercial hospitality environments. This pack of 12 glasses combines Riedel's varietal-specific design philosophy with the durability requirements of bars, restaurants, and hotels, providing professional wine service for Viognier, Chardonnay, and similar white wines that balance freshness, texture, and complex flavours.
Riedel developed this glass to enhance both young and mature full-bodied whites. The bowl geometry balances low acidity against alcohol and rich flavours, highlighting the velvety texture characteristic of Viognier and oak-aged Chardonnay whilst emphasising fruity flavours and ensuring a long, balanced finish. At 350ml capacity with a 79mm diameter rim, the glass provides optimal volume for complex white wines without excessive size. Made from Riedel's crystal glass, Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay glasses deliver superior brilliance and commercial durability.
Key features of the Riedel Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay glass:
- Dual-purpose design: Enhances freshness of young wines whilst showcasing nutty, spicy flavours in older, oak-aged examples - versatile for diverse wine lists
- Low-acidity optimisation: Bowl shape specifically developed to balance low acidity against alcohol and rich flavours, preventing wines from tasting flabby or heavy
- Texture enhancement: Geometry highlights the velvety texture characteristic of Viognier and oak-aged Chardonnay, delivering wines to palate areas that emphasise mouthfeel
- Commercial dishwasher certification: EN 12875-1/2 certified for 1,000+ dishwasher cycles with no deterioration of glass surface
- Crystal glass construction: Harder and stronger than standard glass, providing superior durability, brilliance, and light refraction for professional operations
- Trade-only availability: £4.79 plus VAT per glass when purchased in commercial packs of 12, exclusively for hospitality operations
This glass suits bars, restaurants, hotels, and wine bars serving quality Viognier, Chardonnay, and similar full-bodied white wines to customers who appreciate proper wine presentation. The Restaurant collection is available exclusively to trade customers (hospitality businesses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering operations), providing the commercial durability and varietal-specific performance that professional wine programmes require.
What Hospitality Professionals Ask About Riedel Restaurant Viognier/Chardonnay Glass
Which wines work best in this 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.
How does the glass balance low acidity wines?
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.
Why a specific glass for Chardonnay styles?
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.
How many dishwasher cycles will these glasses survive?
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.
Is this glass suitable for Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc?
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
How long does delivery take?
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.
Can I return glasses if they don't suit our operation?
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.
Is VAT included in the £4.79 price?
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.
Do you offer volume discounts for larger restaurant groups?
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.
Can home users purchase these glasses?
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.
What serving temperature should we use for wines in this glass?
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.
Should we stock multiple white wine glass types?
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.
