Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir (Old World) Glasses
Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir (Old World) Glasses
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Riedel Veritas Old World Pinot Noir Glass
The Riedel Veritas Old World Pinot Noir glass is part of the Veritas collection introduced in 2014, built to Georg J. Riedel's brief: machine-blown lead-free crystal that is visually striking, 15% taller and 25% lighter than the Vinum range, while remaining fully dishwasher safe and practical for everyday use. Available in sets of 2 or 4.
The 738ml balloon-shaped bowl is designed for wines with high acidity and moderate tannin - the profile of Old World Pinot Noir, red Burgundy, and Gamay-based wines. Riedel's design logic holds that the bowl shape directs wine onto the part of the tongue most receptive to sweetness and fruit, tempering the perception of high acidity whilst allowing the aromatics to develop fully in the generous bowl. The result is a glass calibrated for wines where delicacy and precision of delivery matter as much as aeration.
- 738ml balloon bowl: Large, rounded shape designed to capture the aromatic complexity of Pinot Noir and similar wines whilst directing delivery for fruit-forward character
- Machine-blown precision: Consistent bowl geometry across every glass in a set - a practical advantage for entertaining and a core part of the Veritas design case
- 15% taller, 25% lighter than Vinum: Veritas is designed to feel as refined as a handmade glass whilst delivering machine precision
- Dishwasher safe: Fully confirmed by Riedel, making this a practical choice for regular use
- Available in sets of 2 or 4
Veritas Old World Pinot Noir is well suited to those who drink Burgundy, village or premier cru Pinot Noir, or Beaujolais Cru regularly and want a varietal-specific glass that holds up to daily use.
What Customers Ask About the Riedel Veritas Old World Pinot Noir Glass
Which wines is this glass designed for?
Riedel designed this glass for light to medium-bodied red wines with high acidity and moderate tannin. The primary use cases are Old World Pinot Noir and red Burgundy, but the recommended list also includes Gamay and Beaujolais Cru styles, Blauburgunder, and Mencia. Specific Burgundy appellations covered include Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Musigny, Echézeaux, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Santenay and St. Aubin. See the full wine list on this page. For full-bodied, higher-tannin reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, the Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass would be more appropriate.
What pack sizes are available?
This glass is available in sets of 2 or 4. Please select your preferred pack size from the variants on this page. Because Veritas is machine-blown, every glass is produced to identical specifications, so you can add to your set at any time without concern about variation between pieces.
What is the difference between Old World and New World Pinot Noir glasses?
Riedel produces both an Old World and a New World Pinot Noir shape within the Veritas range. Old World Pinot Noir - Burgundy and similar European styles - tends toward higher acidity, lower alcohol, and more restrained, earthy fruit character. New World Pinot Noir from regions such as California, New Zealand, or Oregon is typically richer, rounder, and higher in alcohol. The two shapes are calibrated differently to suit these distinct wine profiles. If your Pinot Noir is predominantly from Burgundy or other European regions, this Old World shape is the Riedel recommendation; for richer, fruit-forward New World styles, consider the Veritas New World Pinot Noir glass.
How does this compare to the Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru for Pinot Noir?
The Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru (1050ml, mouth-blown in Austria) is Riedel's premier handmade shape for Pinot Noir and is in MoMA's permanent collection. The Veritas Old World Pinot Noir (738ml, machine-blown) applies the same varietal-specific design principles at a lower price point with the practical advantages of dishwasher safety and consistent machine precision. Both serve Burgundy-style Pinot Noir well; the choice is primarily about occasion, budget, and how carefully you want to treat your glasses day-to-day.
Is this glass dishwasher safe?
Yes - Riedel confirms the Veritas collection is fully dishwasher safe. Use a gentle cycle at no more than 55°C, ensure glasses are well spaced so they cannot knock against each other, and avoid heavily abrasive or lemon-scented detergents, which can cloud crystal over time. Remove promptly at the end of the cycle. Handwashing will maintain crystal clarity for longer, but machine washing is entirely practical for everyday use.
Old World vs New World: Why the Distinction Matters
Riedel's decision to produce separate Old World and New World Pinot Noir shapes within the Veritas range reflects a genuine difference in wine style rather than a marketing division. Old World Pinot Noir - from Burgundy in particular, but also from other cool-climate European regions - is typically characterised by higher acidity, lower alcohol, and more restrained, mineral-driven fruit. New World styles from California, Oregon, Central Otago, or Marlborough tend to be riper, rounder, and richer.
The Old World shape is designed with those structural differences in mind. The bowl directs wine to the palate area most receptive to fruit and sweetness, which helps counterbalance the higher acidity of European Pinot Noir rather than amplifying it. For those whose cellar is predominantly Burgundy, or who drink village and premier cru Pinot Noir from France, Germany or Austria, this is the appropriate Veritas shape. If your buying is split across both hemispheres, it is worth considering which style you drink more often before choosing.
Specifications
Riedel-Recommended Wine Varieties for This Glass
The following varieties, styles and appellations are recommended by Riedel for use with the Veritas Old World Pinot Noir glass.
Areni, Beaujolais Cru, Blauburgunder, Burgundy Rouge, Chambolle-Musigny, Echézeaux, Gamay, Mencia, Moulin-à-Vent, Musigny, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir (Old World), Pommard, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Santenay, St. Aubin, Volnay, Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot.
Care & Use Instructions
Dishwasher (Fully Supported): Riedel confirms the Veritas collection is dishwasher safe. Use a gentle cycle at no more than 55°C. The balloon-shaped bowl is wide, so ensure glasses are well spaced in the upper rack and cannot knock against each other or the dishwasher frame. Avoid lemon-scented or heavily abrasive detergents, which can cloud crystal over time. Remove promptly at the end of the cycle and allow to air dry briefly with the door open.
Handwashing: Use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent. The wide bowl accommodates a soft cloth or sponge comfortably. Hold the glass by the base and never twist the bowl whilst holding the stem. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a lint-free microfibre or linen cloth. Handwashing will maintain crystal clarity for longer than machine washing.
Polishing: Hold the base firmly in one hand and polish the bowl with a lint-free cloth in the other. The wide balloon bowl benefits from a broad polishing cloth for an efficient finish. Do not grip both base and bowl simultaneously as this creates torsional stress on the stem.
Storage: Store upright and never stacked or rim-down. The wide bowl requires more shelf depth than a standard wine glass - check cupboard clearance before purchasing a set of 4. Ensure glasses cannot knock together when stored.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
We have specialised in Riedel glassware since our founding in 1972. If you are choosing between the Old World and New World Pinot Noir shapes, or weighing Veritas against the Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru for the same wines, we are happy to advise - contact us before purchasing.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns (Unopened Items)
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Accidental breakage within 2 years of purchase means we will replace the glass at half the current retail price, with proof of purchase and evidence of the breakage. A photo is sufficient. Online orders are logged automatically.
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.
Can I return the glasses 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.
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.
Can I add to my set later?
Yes - because Veritas is machine-blown, every glass is produced to identical specifications. You can top up your set at any time without concern about variation between pieces. This is one of the practical advantages of machine-blown production over handmade glassware.
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 Veritas glasses carry the Riedel mark. All glasses sold by The Riedel Shop are genuine Riedel products. We are an authorised UK retailer and source stock directly from Riedel.
