Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru Glasses
Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru Glasses
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru Glass
The Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru glass has been in continuous production since 1959 - not because of tradition for its own sake, but because the design works. Mouth-blown from lead-free crystal in Austria, this is a precision instrument developed specifically for the great red wines of Bordeaux and the Cabernet-dominant styles that followed in their wake. It is available as a single glass or a set of 2.
The 860ml bowl provides the breathing space that structured red wines genuinely need. Modern winemaking can concentrate fruit to the point where young wines taste tannic and one-dimensional in a smaller glass; the generous bowl here opens them up, layering aromas and softening the perception of tannin on the palate. Riedel describes the effect on texture as intensifying the silkiness of the wine and prolonging the finish, whilst gently integrating acidity with supple tannins.
- Handcrafted precision: Mouth-blown in Austria using Riedel's established glassblowing tradition, part of the Sommeliers range - their premier handmade collection
- 860ml bowl capacity: Generous volume designed to aerate both young, tannic wines and older, more developed bottles
- Varietal-specific geometry: Designed for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Bordeaux blends
- Lead-free crystal: Austrian-made, combining exceptional clarity with lightness
- Available as a single glass or a set of 2
This glass suits collectors and enthusiasts who take their Bordeaux, or comparable structured reds, seriously - and who want a glass equal to the wines they are opening.
What Customers Ask About the Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru Glass
Which wines is this glass designed for?
Riedel developed this glass specifically for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with Bordeaux blends as the primary use case. The bowl shape and capacity are designed to give heavily structured reds the room to open up, softening tannin perception and broadening the aromatic spectrum. If you primarily drink lighter-bodied reds such as Pinot Noir or Gamay, consider a Burgundy-specific glass instead - the Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru is the natural alternative within the same collection.
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. If you are building a collection gradually, buying a single glass first is a practical way to assess whether the Sommeliers range suits your preferences.
What makes Sommeliers different from other Riedel collections?
Sommeliers is Riedel's premier handmade range, mouth-blown by skilled glassblowers in Austria. This distinguishes it from machine-made collections such as Veritas, Veloce, Performance and Superleggero. The trade-off is that each Sommeliers glass may have subtle variation between pieces, which is inherent to the handblowing process; the reward is exceptional lightness and a prestige that machine production cannot quite replicate. For those who want machine-made precision at a comparable level of delicacy, the Riedel Superleggero Bordeaux Grand Cru glass offers a strong alternative.
Why does bowl size matter for tannic red wines?
Riedel's position - developed over decades of working with winemakers and wine professionals - is that a larger bowl increases the surface area of wine exposed to air, which accelerates aeration and softens tannin perception. Modern winemaking can produce wines that are heavily concentrated and structured when young; Riedel states that the 860ml bowl of this glass is designed to unpack those layers rather than constraining them. Whether you experience this as a dramatic or subtle difference will depend on the wine and your own palate.
Can I put this in the dishwasher?
We would strongly recommend handwashing the Sommeliers collection. These are mouth-blown glasses with exceptionally thin walls, and machine washing significantly increases the risk of breakage from knocking against other items or dishwasher components. Warm water, a small amount of mild detergent, and a lint-free drying cloth will keep them in excellent condition for many years.
Understanding the Riedel Sommeliers Collection
The Sommeliers range was first introduced in the 1970s and remains Riedel's benchmark for handmade varietal-specific glassware. The Bordeaux Grand Cru shape, however, predates it - the design has been in production in some form since 1959, making it one of the longest-established wine glass shapes in continuous production.
What separates Sommeliers from Riedel's machine-made ranges is the process rather than the philosophy. Bowl geometry, rim diameter and weight are still determined by Riedel's varietal-specific approach; the difference is that each glass is shaped by hand, which introduces the natural character of the craftsperson into each piece. For many collectors, that is part of the appeal. For those who prioritise absolute consistency across every glass in a set, the machine-made Superleggero range applies the same Bordeaux Grand Cru geometry with greater uniformity.
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 washing the interior with a soft cloth or sponge. Never twist the bowl whilst holding the stem. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a lint-free microfibre or linen cloth to prevent water spots.
Drying: Hold the base firmly in one hand and polish the bowl gently with a cloth in the other. Avoid gripping both the base and bowl simultaneously, as this creates torsional stress on the stem. Allow glasses to stand upright and air for a moment before final polishing if needed.
Dishwasher (Not Recommended): The Sommeliers collection is mouth-blown with exceptionally thin crystal walls and is vulnerable to chipping and breakage in a dishwasher. If machine washing is unavoidable, use the gentlest available cycle at no more than 50°C, ensure glasses are well spaced in the upper rack with nothing touching them, and remove promptly when the cycle ends. Avoid lemon-scented or heavily abrasive detergents.
Storage: Store upright and never stacked or rim-down. Keep in a clean, dry area where glasses will not be knocked. For longer-term storage, individual glass storage pouches or padded dividers are worth considering for a collection of this quality.
Water Spots: If spots develop, add a small amount of white vinegar to the final rinse water. For wine residue, a soft cloth with warm water is usually sufficient - avoid abrasive cleaning products on crystal.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
We have specialised in Riedel glassware since our founding in 1972, and the Sommeliers collection has been a cornerstone of that specialism. We can help you choose the right glass shape for your wines and your collection - contact us if you are unsure whether the Bordeaux Grand Cru is the right fit.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns (Unopened Items)
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Our Half-Price Replacement guarantee is particularly worth noting for a handmade collection like Sommeliers. 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 fine). 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, with particular attention given to 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 unsure whether this glass is right for you, please contact us before purchasing and we will be happy to advise.
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've 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 Bordeaux Grand Cru glass comes in Riedel's presentation packaging, which is appropriate for gifting. If you are buying a single glass as a gift, please select the single-glass option from the variants. For a pair, select the set of 2. Both options are available on this page.
