Riedel Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah Glasses
Riedel Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah Glasses
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- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
Riedel Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah Glass
Full-bodied, tannic reds like Syrah, Shiraz and Hermitage need room. Not just for the wine itself, but for the dense fruit, pepper, smoke and structure to separate out into something you can actually smell before you taste it. The Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah glass gives these wines a generous, egg-shaped bowl sized specifically for that job, built in the ultra-thin crystal that gives the whole Superleggero range its name.
Superleggero means "ultra lightweight" in Italian, and the original version of this collection was entirely hand-blown. This machine-made version uses production technology Riedel developed in-house to reproduce that same thin-walled quality without the piece-to-piece variation of mouth-blowing. Riedel describes the result as indistinguishable from handmade: the same delicacy in the glass, the same lightness in the hand, but made consistently at scale.
The bowl's size and shape are there to do a specific job: give big, structured reds enough surface area to soften their tannins and let aromatics develop, whilst the narrower rim still directs the wine towards the front of your palate.
Key features
- Generous egg-shaped bowl sized for full-bodied, tannic red wines
- Ultra-thin, machine-made lead-free crystal
- Base diameter of up to 106mm for stability despite the thin stem
- Reproduces the delicacy of the original hand-blown Superleggero
- Dishwasher safe despite its light weight
- Part of Riedel's wider Superleggero varietal-specific range
This glass is thinner and lighter than standard stemware by design. Whilst it is dishwasher safe, handle it by the bowl or base rather than the stem, give it room away from other items in the dishwasher, and avoid knocking it against taps, sinks or other glassware.
What Customers Ask About This Glass
Why is the bowl so much bigger than a standard red wine glass?
Full-bodied reds like Syrah and Hermitage carry dense fruit, tannin and often oak, and need more surface area and headspace than a lighter red to let those elements separate out and soften before you taste the wine. A smaller bowl would concentrate the alcohol and tannin on the nose rather than letting the fruit and spice come through.
Is this glass suitable for other big reds beyond Syrah?
Yes. It is built for the broad family of full-bodied, structured reds: Shiraz, Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Malbec, Priorato, Pinotage and similar styles all suit this shape. If most of your collection is lighter reds like Pinot Noir, a different Riedel shape will serve those better.
How is machine-made Superleggero different from the original?
The original Superleggero was entirely hand-blown, which naturally produces some variation between pieces. This machine-made version uses technology Riedel developed to reproduce the same thin-walled lightness with consistent results across every glass, at a more accessible price point.
Is it durable enough for everyday use?
It is dishwasher safe and intended for regular use, not display only. The trade-off for its thinness is that it needs a bit more care than heavier glassware: handle by the bowl or base, and give it space in the dishwasher.
Can I buy these individually or only in sets?
You can buy a single glass, a pair, a 4 pack or an 8 pack, so you can start with one and build up your set over time.
Understanding Superleggero
Superleggero sits at the top of Riedel's varietal-specific glassware, built around the idea that the thinner and lighter the glass, the less it gets in the way between you and the wine. The range was originally produced entirely by hand, mouth-blown by skilled glassmakers, which made it exceptional but also expensive and limited in supply.
Riedel's machine-made Superleggero line was developed to bring that same ultra-thin quality to a wider audience without sacrificing the character that made the original worth having in the first place. Each shape in the range, including this one, is sized and proportioned for a specific style of wine rather than wine in general.
Why Full-Bodied Reds Need Their Own Shape
A glass that works well for a delicate Pinot Noir will often flatten a Syrah or Hermitage, because the bowl is too small to let a dense, structured wine open up properly. The Hermitage/Syrah glass's larger bowl gives these wines the room they need: enough surface area for the tannins to soften in the glass and enough headspace for the fruit, pepper and often smoky or meaty notes typical of these wines to develop before they reach your nose.
The narrower rim, relative to the bowl's width, still does the job every Riedel shape is designed around: directing the wine to land in the right place on your tongue so the wine's balance of fruit, tannin and acidity comes through as the winemaker intended, rather than being dominated by alcohol or tannin alone.
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: Dishwasher safe. Load with enough space around each glass that it cannot knock against other items during the cycle.
Handwashing: If you prefer to handwash, use warm water with a small amount of mild detergent and dry with a lint-free cloth whilst still warm for a streak-free finish.
Polishing: Hold the glass by the bowl, not the stem, when polishing to reduce the risk of snapping the stem under pressure.
Storage: Store upright rather than resting on the rim, with enough space that glasses do not touch each other.
Serving Temperature: Full-bodied reds like Syrah and Hermitage are generally best served around 16-18°C, slightly below typical room temperature, to keep the alcohol in check and let the fruit and spice show through.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
✓ No Quibble Returns - Change your mind, even after use, and return it in resaleable condition and original packaging.
✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years) - Break a glass by accident within 2 years of purchase and we'll replace it at half the current retail price.
✓ Price Match Guarantee - Found it cheaper elsewhere from an authorised retailer? We'll match it.
See our full guarantee policy or get in touch if you have any questions.
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 protective packaging to ensure safe arrival, 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 for yourself. The pair is a good way to try the shape with someone else in mind. The 4 pack is the most popular choice for general entertaining, and the 8 pack suits larger-scale use.
Will this glass work for lighter reds as well?
It is built specifically for full-bodied, tannic reds, so a lighter style like Pinot Noir or Gamay will show better in a smaller-bowled glass designed for that style. If your collection covers both, it's worth having a second, smaller glass alongside this one.
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 big reds seriously.
Can I buy additional glasses to match my set?
Yes. The Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah 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 does this compare to the Superleggero Oaked Chardonnay glass?
Both share the same Superleggero construction and ultra-thin crystal, but they're shaped and sized for different wines. The Oaked Chardonnay glass is built for full-bodied whites with a slightly different bowl proportion, whilst this glass's larger capacity and bowl shape are built around the tannin and structure of big reds like Syrah and Hermitage.
