Riedel Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay Glasses
Riedel Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay Glasses
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Riedel Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay Glass
"Superleggero" is Italian for "super light," and this glass carries that through into a generously sized, egg-shaped bowl in deliberately thin crystal. It's the machine-made version of the original handmade Superleggero, produced on technology Riedel built in-house specifically to reproduce that thin-walled quality consistently, without the variation that comes with mouth-blowing.
The 660ml capacity is sized specifically for full-bodied white wine, white Burgundy and oaked Chardonnay above all, where texture, oak integration and layered fruit need real room to develop. A narrower glass compresses those characteristics together; this bowl's soft, rounded silhouette gives them space to separate out, so you get the buttery texture and the fruit and the oak as distinct elements rather than one undifferentiated impression.
Key features of the Riedel Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay Glass:
- Egg-shaped bowl: A soft, rounded silhouette with real volume, giving full-bodied Chardonnay room to show texture and layered fruit
- Deliberately thin crystal: True to the Superleggero name, lighter in the hand than its generous capacity suggests
- Machine-made to a handmade standard: Produced on in-house technology built to reproduce the original hand-blown Superleggero's quality consistently
- Generous capacity: 660ml capacity and 234mm height, with a base up to 106mm in diameter for stability
- Dishwasher safe: Practical for regular use without hand-washing requirements
- Flexible buying options: Available as a single glass, a pair, or in 4 and 8 packs
This glass suits white Burgundy from Meursault and Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, New World oaked Chardonnay, and Pouilly-Fuissé, as well as late-harvest Riesling and Riesling Smaragd. If a premium Chardonnay has ever tasted flatter or more one-dimensional than its price suggested it should, the glass is often part of the problem, and this is the shape built to solve it.
What Customers Ask About the Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay Glass
Why does a Chardonnay glass need to be this large?
Full-bodied Chardonnay and white Burgundy develop complex layers from oak ageing, lees contact and malolactic fermentation, buttery texture, vanilla, toast, and ripe fruit all at once. A smaller bowl compresses those layers into a single impression. The 660ml capacity gives the wine enough surface area to let those elements separate and show individually as you nose and taste it.
Is machine-made Superleggero as good as the original handmade version?
Riedel developed this production technology specifically to reproduce the thin-walled quality of the original hand-blown Superleggero without the piece-to-piece variation that comes with mouth-blowing. You get more consistency across every glass, at a lower cost, rather than the individual character of a hand-blown piece.
Will this work for unoaked or lighter Chardonnay styles?
It will work, but it isn't where this shape earns its keep. This glass is sized and proportioned for full-bodied, oak-influenced styles. A leaner, unoaked Chardonnay or Chablis-style wine will generally show better in a smaller glass built for freshness and minerality rather than texture and richness.
Is this glass too delicate for regular use?
It's thinner and lighter than most stemware, which is the entire point of the Superleggero name, but it's also genuinely dishwasher safe, so it's built for regular use rather than display only. The usual crystal care still applies: hold it by the bowl or base rather than knocking it against taps or other glassware, and give it room in the dishwasher.
Which buying option should I choose?
The single glass suits anyone who wants to try the shape for themselves without committing further. The pair is a sensible way to try it with someone else in mind too. The 4 pack is the most popular choice for general entertaining, and the 8 pack suits larger gatherings or anyone building a full set.
Understanding Superleggero
Superleggero was originally Riedel's hand-blown, ultra-thin premium line, glassware where wall thickness is reduced as far as the material allows without losing structural integrity. Doing that consistently by hand is genuinely difficult, which is why this glass has an unusual story: Riedel built dedicated machine technology in-house specifically to reproduce that same thin-walled result, piece after piece, without the variation that comes with mouth-blowing.
That puts it in an unusual position: not the hand-blown original, but not a standard machine-made glass either. It's a deliberate attempt to deliver the performance of the handmade version at a more accessible price and with more consistency across a set. If you want the individual character of hand-blown glass, Riedel's Fatto a Mano range is the better fit; if you want the thin-walled performance with dishwasher-safe practicality, this is built for exactly that.
Why Full-Bodied Chardonnay Needs Its Own Shape
Chardonnay is a relatively neutral grape on its own; most of what defines a premium bottle comes from winemaking decisions, oak treatment, malolactic fermentation, lees ageing, layered on top. That makes glass shape unusually important: a bowl too small compresses those layers together into a single buttery-oaky impression, whilst one shaped properly lets them show as distinct elements you can actually pick apart.
The Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay glass's egg-shaped bowl and 660ml capacity are sized for exactly that job. The wide mid-section gives the wine room to breathe as you swirl, developing the aromatics further, whilst the rounded silhouette directs flow to the parts of your palate that pick up richness and texture without letting acidity disappear entirely. For a wine where you're paying for complexity, that's the difference between tasting what you paid for and not.
Specifications
- Single glass (pure self-indulgence)
- Pair (ideal for trying them out)
- 4 pack (most popular choice)
- 8 pack (best for entertaining)
Care & Use Instructions
Dishwasher Care: This glass is dishwasher safe despite its especially thin construction. Use a gentle cycle at maximum 55°C and space glasses so they don't touch each other or other items. Secure the glass in the upper rack where it won't knock against other items or the spray arm. Avoid heavily abrasive or lemon-scented detergents which can cloud crystal over time. Remove promptly and allow to air dry with the door open to prevent water spots.
Handwashing: Use warm (not hot) water with mild detergent. Hold the glass by the bowl or base rather than gripping it by the rim. Support the bowl from underneath with one hand whilst washing the interior with a soft cloth or sponge in the other, taking extra care given how thin the walls are. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a lint-free cloth.
Polishing: Use a microfibre or linen cloth. Hold the bowl firmly but gently and polish it in circular motions. For stubborn water spots, add a small amount of white vinegar to rinse water.
Storage: Store glasses upright, never stacked or rim-down. Ensure glasses are completely dry before storing to prevent cloudiness or odours developing.
Serving Temperature: Full-bodied Chardonnay and white Burgundy show best at 10-13°C, warmer than a light white but still chilled. Consider chilling glasses briefly beforehand, or rinsing with cold water and drying.
Pouring: Fill to about one-third capacity to allow room for swirling and aroma development. The 660ml capacity is there to give the wine space, not to be filled generously.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
Since establishing The Riedel Shop, we've specialised in Riedel's glassware, building expertise in helping customers choose the right shape for the wine they're serving.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
We believe you shouldn't have to take a risk when purchasing glassware. Our Half-Price Replacement policy covers accidental breakage for 2 years from purchase with proof of purchase, giving you confidence to use these glasses regularly rather than reserving them only for special occasions.
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 and is free for orders over £49. 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. We pack all glassware carefully, with particular care taken for especially thin pieces like Superleggero.
Can I return the glasses if I don't like them after using them?
We offer a no quibble return guarantee that allows you to return goods even after use. The items must be in a resaleable condition and in their original packaging. Please wrap or box items appropriately for transit to avoid damage, particularly important for thin crystal glassware.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
If you accidentally break a glass within 2 years of purchase, we'll replace it at half the current retail price. You'll need proof of purchase (receipt, bank statement, or order confirmation if purchased online) and evidence of the breakage (a photo is fine). We log your purchase at point of sale, or online orders are automatically recorded in our system.
What's the difference between the buying options?
All options are the identical glass; only the quantity changes. The single glass suits buying one to try. The pair is a good way to try the shape with someone else in mind. The 4 pack is the most popular option for general entertaining, and the 8 pack suits larger-scale use.
Do you offer gift packaging?
Riedel Superleggero glasses come in packaging suitable for gifting and provide appropriate protection for the thin crystal. These make a considered gift for anyone who takes white Burgundy or oaked Chardonnay seriously.
Can I buy additional glasses to match my set?
Yes. This glass is part of Riedel's ongoing range, and machine production ensures new glasses will match your existing set in size and quality, whichever buying option you started with.
How is this different from a universal white wine glass?
A universal glass offers convenience but compromises on varietal-specific performance. This glass's 660ml capacity, egg-shaped bowl and rim diameter are calibrated specifically for full-bodied, oak-influenced white wine. For a premium white Burgundy or oaked Chardonnay where you've invested in quality, that specific design reveals complexity a universal glass tends to flatten.
