Riedel Restaurant Degustazione Champagne / Sparkling Wine Glasses (12 Pack)
Riedel Restaurant Degustazione Champagne / Sparkling Wine Glasses (12 Pack)
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This product is available exclusively to approved Trade customers.
Riedel Restaurant Degustazione Champagne / Sparkling Wine Flute
The Riedel Restaurant Degustazione Champagne Flute (0489/48) is the sparkling wine glass in Riedel's entry-level restaurant collection. At 212ml capacity with a slimline 55mm diameter, it is a classic, purposeful flute: tall, narrow, and elegant, designed for light, fresh, dry Champagne and sparkling wine where effervescence and visual presentation are the priority.
It is worth being clear about what this glass does and what it is for. The narrow flute shape preserves effervescence more effectively than a wider bowl, channels bubble formation into a visually striking column, and presents sparkling wine in the classically elegant form that most customers expect when a glass of fizz arrives at the table. For non-vintage Champagne by the glass, Prosecco, Cava, Cremant, English sparkling wine, and reception drinks service, the Degustazione flute is the practical, high-volume sparkling wine glass that an operation needs. Machine-made in lead-free crystal with Riedel's precision, certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles, and sold in sets of 12, it delivers the elegant slimline aesthetic of a quality flute at an accessible price. For operations also serving complex vintage Champagne or grower bottles where aromatic depth is the focus, the Riedel Restaurant Veritas Champagne glass provides an egg-shaped bowl designed for those wines. The two glasses are not in competition: they serve different occasions, different styles, and different service contexts.
Key features of the Riedel Restaurant Degustazione Champagne Flute:
- Slimline 55mm flute design: Classic narrow shape preserves effervescence, creates a consistent bubble column, and presents sparkling wine with the elegant visual character customers expect from a quality flute
- 212ml appropriate capacity: Sized for a 125ml standard sparkling wine measure at the correct fill level, with sufficient clearance for comfortable service and carrying without spillage
- Light and fresh sparkling wine focus: Specifically described by Riedel as the right choice for light, fresh, dry Champagne and sparkling wines, including Prosecco, Cava, Cremant, and non-vintage house Champagne
- Genuine Riedel quality at entry-level pricing: Machine-made in lead-free crystal with Riedel's precision, delivering consistent quality across 12 identical glasses per case
- Set of 12: Case format suited to the volume demands of sparkling wine service, receptions, functions, and high-cover operations
- 1,500-cycle dishwasher certification: EN 12875-1/2 certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles, corresponding to 10+ years of normal service life
- Part of a complete four-piece range: Works alongside the Degustazione Red Wine Glass, White Wine Glass, and Stemless Water and Wine Glass for a coherent table presentation from a single entry-level Riedel collection
- Trade-only: Designed specifically for the hospitality sector, available exclusively to bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering operations
This glass suits any operation where sparkling wine is served by the glass or by the bottle for everyday or celebration occasions: restaurants, wine bars, hotels, event caterers, and function venues. The full Degustazione range is available exclusively to trade customers.
What Hospitality Professionals Ask About This Glass
If Riedel argues elsewhere that egg-shaped bowls are better for Champagne, why does this flute exist?
The Riedel Veritas Champagne glass uses an egg-shaped bowl to reveal the aromatic complexity of serious Champagne that a flute would suppress. That argument is valid and well supported for vintage Champagne, grower bottles, and prestige cuvees where layered complexity is the reason the wine costs what it does. The Degustazione flute is not trying to replace that glass. It is for a different occasion and a different wine: light, fresh, dry Champagne and sparkling wine where effervescence, visual elegance, and the classic experience of a flute are exactly what the moment calls for. House Champagne by the glass, Prosecco for a table celebration, reception drinks for a function, sparkling wine at a wedding: these are flute occasions. The two shapes serve different purposes and many serious operations stock both.
How does this compare to the Veritas Champagne glass?
They are fundamentally different glasses for different purposes. The Degustazione flute (0489/48, 212ml, 55mm, set of 12, entry-level price) is a classic narrow flute for high-volume everyday sparkling wine service. The Veritas Champagne glass (445ml, 85mm egg-shaped bowl, set of 6, premium price) is designed to reveal the aromatic complexity of quality Champagne by giving it a proper bowl to breathe in. For an operation that serves house Prosecco by the glass and also has a curated Champagne list with grower bottles, both glasses have a role. The decision is not either-or: it is about matching the glass to the occasion and the wine being served.
Is the 212ml capacity large enough for a 125ml serve?
Yes. At 125ml the flute is filled to just under 60% of capacity, which is the correct fill level: generous enough to look well served, with enough clearance above the wine to prevent spilling during service and carrying, and enough rim space for the effervescence to settle without overflowing. A 175ml pour is tight in this glass at 83% capacity and is not recommended for sparkling wine, where effervescence means the wine is more likely to spill than a still wine poured to the same level. Standard 125ml sparkling service is the correct pour for the 0489/48.
Is this flute suitable for Prosecco, Cava, and English sparkling wine?
Yes. The slimline 55mm flute shape suits all light, fresh, dry sparkling styles. Prosecco benefits particularly from the narrow diameter, which preserves its lively, fresh effervescence and prevents the wine's more delicate aromatics from dispersing too quickly. Cava, Cremant, and English sparkling wine all present well in a classic flute at the 125ml serve. For everyday sparkling wine service across all of these styles, the Degustazione flute is the appropriate choice.
How many dishwasher cycles are these glasses certified for?
The Degustazione Champagne Flute is certified to EN 12875-1/2 standards for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles with no visible deterioration, corresponding to 10+ years of normal restaurant service life. This is the same durability standard as the premium Veritas range.
Flute or Bowl? Matching the Glass to the Occasion
The conversation about Champagne glassware has shifted considerably in recent years. Riedel and other serious glassware manufacturers have made a compelling and well-evidenced case that a wider bowl reveals the aromatic complexity of serious Champagne more effectively than a narrow flute. That case is valid, and the Riedel Veritas Champagne glass exists to make it practical for hospitality operations.
But the flute has not become obsolete. It serves a distinct and entirely legitimate purpose that the egg-shaped bowl does not replace. Effervescence is a visual experience as much as a vinous one: the long, consistent bubble column of a flute is one of the most immediately pleasurable things about receiving a glass of sparkling wine, and for most customers in most contexts it is exactly what they are expecting and what they want. Reception drinks for a function, a glass of Prosecco with a light lunch, house Champagne by the glass on a casual wine list, a bottle of Cava for a table celebration: these are occasions where the flute's visual presentation and effervescence-preserving geometry serve the wine and the moment correctly.
The Degustazione flute makes that classic presentation available at entry-level pricing with the build quality and dishwasher certification that commercial service demands. For operations where sparkling wine is a high-volume line, the 12-per-case format provides efficient initial stocking and restocking. For operations building a complete table setting from the Degustazione range, the flute completes the four-glass collection alongside the red, white, and stemless glasses.
The most considered approach for operations with both everyday sparkling and a serious Champagne programme is to stock both shapes: the Degustazione flute for house sparkling by the glass and everyday service, and the Veritas Champagne glass for premium bottles where the investment in a wider bowl is justified by the wine being served. That combination gives an operation the flexibility to match the glass to the occasion and the wine at every price point on the list.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Commercial Dishwasher Use: The Degustazione Champagne Flute is certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles under EN 12875-1/2. The narrow 55mm diameter requires careful rack placement to ensure the base is fully supported and the tall 224mm profile clears the rack arms. Use standard commercial cycles with professional-grade detergent. Remove promptly and allow to air dry. Water spotting is most visible on the clear, narrow bowl of a flute; prompt removal and drying after each cycle keeps glasses presentation-ready.
Serving Temperature: Champagne and sparkling wine serve best at 6-8°C. Prosecco is at its most lively and fresh at the cooler end of that range. Avoid serving above 10°C: warm sparkling wine loses its effervescence more rapidly and the aromatics of lighter styles become less focused. Chill glasses briefly before service if possible, or use pre-chilled bottles to minimise temperature rise in the glass.
Pour Size: Pour 125ml for a standard sparkling wine serve. At 125ml the flute is filled to just under 60% of capacity, which is the correct fill level. Do not pour 175ml measures in this glass: at 83% capacity the effervescence risk of spillage during service is significant. If your operation uses 175ml as the standard sparkling measure, consider whether the glass capacity is appropriate or adjust to 125ml for sparkling wine specifically.
Pouring Technique: Tilt the flute slightly and pour against the side of the bowl rather than directly down the centre. This preserves more effervescence, reduces foaming, and allows the glass to be filled to the correct level without overflow. Straighten the glass as it approaches the 125ml level.
Handling: The 55mm diameter and tall 224mm profile make this the most slender glass in the Degustazione range. Hold by the stem rather than the bowl. Extra care during racking, carrying, and polishing is worthwhile given the narrow profile.
Storage: Store upright with adequate height clearance for 224mm. Never stack or store rim-down. The 55mm diameter makes these the most space-efficient glasses in the Degustazione range per rack position, which is an advantage for operations storing large quantities for function and reception service.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
As specialist Riedel retailers, we stock the full Riedel restaurant glassware range from Degustazione through to Veritas, including both the Degustazione flute for everyday sparkling service and the Veritas Champagne glass for premium Champagne programmes. We can advise on how the two shapes work alongside each other and help you choose the right glass for each part of your sparkling wine offer. The Degustazione collection is available exclusively to trade customers.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
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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 an upcoming event or function, contact us to discuss expedited shipping options.
Can I return glasses if they don't suit our operation?
We offer a no quibble return guarantee on unopened cases in original packaging. We recommend ordering one case to assess the glass in your operation before committing to larger quantities.
What other glasses are in the Degustazione range?
The Degustazione range comprises four glasses: the Red Wine Glass (0489/0, 560ml), the White Wine Glass (0489/01, 340ml), the Champagne Flute (0489/48, 212ml), and a Stemless Water and Wine Glass. All are machine-made in lead-free crystal and certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles.
Can home users purchase Riedel Restaurant Degustazione glasses?
No. The Restaurant Degustazione collection is designed specifically for the hospitality sector and is available exclusively to trade customers including bars, restaurants, hotels, event caterers, and catering operations.
Do you offer volume discounts for larger orders?
For hospitality groups and event caterers requiring significant quantities, contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements. Flutes are often required in larger quantities than red or white wine glasses for function and reception service, and we can accommodate bulk orders accordingly.
What is the expected annual breakage rate for flutes?
Flutes typically have a slightly higher breakage rate than wine glasses due to their taller, narrower profile. Industry averages for flutes in active service tend to run 15-20% annually rather than the 10-13% more typical for wine glasses. The 12-per-case format and entry-level pricing of the Degustazione flute make restocking straightforward and cost-effective relative to premium flute alternatives.
