Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet / Merlot Glasses (6 Pack)
Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet / Merlot Glasses (6 Pack)
Trade Customers Only
This product is available exclusively to approved Trade customers.
Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet / Merlot Glass
The Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass brings Riedel's iconic grape varietal specific bowl designs to commercial hospitality in a collection that balances elegant presentation with professional durability. Timeless and elegant, Veritas is fine-blown and lightweight - executed in sparkling crystal with perfect balance in hand. This set of 6 glasses is designed specifically for young, full-bodied complex red wines high in tannin, smoothing rough edges and emphasizing fruit to achieve balance that would normally require years of ageing.
Based on decades of Riedel's research into grape varietal specific glassware, this Cabernet/Merlot glass addresses the specific challenges of serving young Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot-dominated wines where tannins are prominent and fruit character needs careful presentation. The 625ml capacity and 95mm diameter create generous size that allows the bouquet to develop fully, whilst the bowl shape directs wine flow onto tongue zones that perceive sweetness - accentuating fruit character and de-emphasizing the bitter qualities of tannin. For young wines (under 5-7 years) with more than 12 percent alcohol and substantial tannin structure, this glass makes wines taste more approachable and balanced immediately rather than requiring extended ageing or decanting. Made from lead-free crystal and certified for 1,500 dishwasher cycles, Restaurant Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glasses provide the refined presentation that premium Bordeaux and Cabernet deserve with the commercial reliability operations demand.
Key features of the Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass:
- Iconic varietal specific heritage: Based on Riedel's grape varietal specific bowl designs developed through decades of research and blind tastings
- Young wine optimization: Smoothes rough edges in young, full-bodied reds high in tannin, making wines taste balanced without requiring years of ageing
- Tongue-direction geometry: Bowl shape directs wine flow to zones perceiving sweetness, accentuating fruit and de-emphasizing bitter tannin qualities
- Fine-blown lightweight construction: Sparkling crystal executed with refined elegance, perfectly balanced in hand for premium wine service
- Generous bouquet development: 625ml capacity provides room for complex aromatics in young Bordeaux and Cabernet to develop properly
- Extended commercial certification: EN 12875-1/2 certified for 1,500 dishwasher cycles, corresponding to 10+ years lifespan
- Trade-only availability: Set of 6 glasses, exclusively for hospitality operations
This glass suits bars, restaurants, hotels, and wine bars serving young Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot-dominated wines to customers who appreciate proper presentation for full-bodied reds where tannin management defines the drinking experience. The Veritas collection is available exclusively to trade customers (hospitality businesses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering operations).
What Hospitality Professionals Ask About Riedel Restaurant Veritas Cabernet/Merlot Glass
Which wines work best in this glass?
Riedel designed this glass for young, full-bodied red wines (more than 12 percent alcohol) high in tannin. It performs excellently for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux blends (both Left Bank and Right Bank), Cabernet Franc, and similar wines where substantial tannin needs managing in younger vintages. The glass works particularly well for wines under 5-7 years old where tannins are still prominent and fruit character needs emphasis. For very aged Bordeaux (10+ years) where tannins have already softened, or for lighter-bodied reds (Pinot Noir), different geometry may be more suitable.
How does this glass make young wines taste more balanced?
Young full-bodied reds often taste harsh or astringent due to prominent tannins that haven't had time to soften through ageing. This glass addresses that through two mechanisms: the generous 625ml capacity provides oxygen exposure that helps soften tannins immediately, whilst the bowl geometry directs wine to tongue zones that perceive sweetness rather than bitterness. The result is that fruit character shows alongside tannin structure rather than being overwhelmed, making the wine taste balanced and approachable without requiring years in the cellar. It's not magic - it's geometry and physics working together.
What is the grape varietal specific heritage?
Riedel pioneered the concept that different grape varieties benefit from different glass shapes - an idea now widely accepted but revolutionary when first introduced. The Veritas collection is based on these iconic varietal specific bowl designs, refined through decades of blind tastings with wine professionals. The Cabernet/Merlot bowl represents Riedel's accumulated knowledge of how to present full-bodied, tannic reds optimally. This heritage matters for hospitality operations because it's not arbitrary design - it's research-backed geometry validated through extensive professional testing.
How does Veritas differ from Veloce Cabernet?
Both are premium machine-made collections designed for professional use, but with different design philosophies and aesthetics. Veloce Cabernet (825ml, 247mm, diamond shape) emphasizes dramatic extreme angles and handmade appearance through state-of-the-art stem-drawing technology. Veritas Cabernet/Merlot (625ml, 235mm) is fine-blown, lightweight, and timeless - drawing on Riedel's classic varietal specific heritage. Veloce tends toward modern elegance; Veritas toward refined classicism. Both achieve 1,500-cycle commercial durability. The choice depends on whether your operation prefers contemporary or traditional aesthetics for premium wine service.
How many dishwasher cycles will these glasses survive?
Independent testing certifies Veritas glasses for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles under EN 12875-1/2 standards with no visible deterioration of glass surface. This represents 50% more durability than standard Restaurant range (1,000 cycles). In normal restaurant usage, 1,500 cycles corresponds to approximately 10+ years of service life. The fine-blown construction maintains commercial durability despite the lightweight, elegant feel.
The Young Wine Challenge
Serving young Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot presents a fundamental challenge in professional wine service: these wines often taste harsh or astringent in their youth due to prominent tannins that require years or decades of bottle ageing to soften and integrate. Customers ordering these wines expect balance and approachability, but young vintages (under 5-7 years) frequently deliver aggressive tannins that overwhelm fruit character. Extended decanting helps but isn't always practical during busy service, and many customers prefer wines poured directly rather than waiting for aeration.
Riedel's Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass addresses this through geometry refined over decades of varietal specific research. The 625ml capacity provides immediate oxygen exposure as wine moves through the generous bowl - helping soften tannins through the same mechanism as decanting but more elegantly and consistently. The bowl shape then directs wine flow across the palate to zones that perceive sweetness rather than bitterness, ensuring fruit character shows alongside tannin structure. The combined effect: young wines taste more balanced and approachable immediately, making them enjoyable to drink now rather than requiring years of patience.
This matters commercially because many operations serve young vintages more frequently than aged wines - current and recent releases dominate most wine lists simply because older vintages become scarce and expensive. A glass that makes 2019 Bordeaux taste balanced and fruit-forward rather than harsh and tannic improves customer satisfaction without requiring the operation to stock extensively aged (and expensive) wines. The geometry doesn't change the wine's composition - it changes how customers experience it through presentation that emphasizes appealing characteristics whilst managing challenging ones.
The Veritas collection's heritage as Riedel's refined take on varietal specific glassware provides additional credibility for wine-focused operations. The bowls aren't arbitrary shapes - they represent accumulated knowledge from decades of professional blind tastings and research into how different varieties respond to different geometries. For operations where wine service quality signals expertise and attention to detail, Veritas provides both the performance and the provenance that justify premium positioning alongside Bordeaux and Cabernet programmes charging £60-200+ per bottle.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Commercial Dishwasher Use: Veritas glasses are certified for commercial dishwasher operations under EN 12875-1/2 standards for 1,500 cycles. Despite the fine-blown, lightweight construction, these glasses withstand high-temperature commercial cycles and aggressive detergents. Use standard commercial dishwashing cycles with professional-grade detergent. The 95mm diameter fits commercial dishwasher racks straightforwardly. Space glasses to prevent contact during wash cycles and remove promptly to air dry.
Loading Best Practices: Position glasses securely in dishwasher racks designed for stemware. The 235mm height (shorter than Veloce's 247mm) fits most commercial dishwashers easily with adequate clearance. The fine-blown construction requires no special handling during washing - it is engineered for commercial service despite the lightweight feel.
Handling the Lightweight Construction: Veritas glasses feel lighter and more refined than standard commercial stemware - this is intentional design, not fragility. The fine-blown crystal is certified for 1,500 commercial cycles. Train staff to hold glasses by the base or stem, but the construction withstands normal service stress.
Temperature Service: Full-bodied reds serve at 16-18°C. The generous 625ml capacity and oxygen exposure work best when wine is served at appropriate temperature - too cold and tannins taste harsher, too warm and alcohol dominates. Brief cooling (10-15 minutes) before service in warm dining environments helps maintain proper temperature.
Service Considerations: Pour a standard 175ml serving - roughly one-quarter to one-third full. The 625ml capacity provides substantial headspace for bouquet development. Young Bordeaux and Cabernet benefit from the immediate aeration the bowl provides as wine is poured and swirled - no additional decanting required for most service situations.
Storage: Store glasses upright in appropriate commercial racks with adequate clearance for the 235mm height. Never stack or store rim-down. The fine-blown construction benefits from storage systems designed for premium stemware rather than general-purpose racks.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
Since establishing The Riedel Shop, we've specialised in Riedel glassware for both consumer and professional markets. We understand hospitality operations serving young Bordeaux, Cabernet, and Merlot require glassware that balances refined presentation with commercial reliability for wines where tannin management directly affects customer satisfaction. The Veritas collection represents Riedel's refined take on varietal specific glassware, exclusively available to trade customers - hospitality businesses, bars, restaurants, hotels, and catering operations. As specialist Riedel retailers, we provide the product knowledge and service standards that professional buyers expect.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Our guarantees apply to Veritas collection purchases. For hospitality operations considering bulk orders beyond the standard 6-glass sets, contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements.
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. For hospitality operations requiring urgent delivery for new openings or events, 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 sets in original packaging. For hospitality operations evaluating Veritas for Bordeaux or Cabernet programmes, we recommend ordering one set initially to assess the fine-blown feel, tannin management performance, and customer response before committing to larger quantities.
Should we stock both Veritas and Veloce for Cabernet?
Most operations choose one based on aesthetic preference and programme focus. Veloce Cabernet suits operations preferring contemporary design and dramatic presentation (825ml, diamond shape with extreme angles). Veritas Cabernet/Merlot suits operations preferring refined classicism and varietal specific heritage (625ml, timeless elegant design). Both achieve equivalent commercial durability (1,500 cycles) and tannin management performance. The choice is primarily aesthetic and philosophical rather than functional.
Does the lightweight feel affect durability?
No - the fine-blown lightweight construction is certified for 1,500 commercial dishwasher cycles, identical to other premium Riedel restaurant ranges. The refined feel is intentional design that enhances the premium wine service experience, not a compromise in durability. The lead-free crystal maintains its integrity through aggressive commercial washing and normal service stress.
Do you offer volume discounts for larger restaurant groups?
For hospitality groups requiring multiple sets (typically 10+ sets for venue refits or multi-site operations), contact us to discuss volume pricing and delivery arrangements. We work with restaurant groups, hotel chains, and upscale operations to provide appropriate pricing for bulk Veritas orders.
Can home users purchase Veritas glasses?
No, the Restaurant Veritas collection is available exclusively to trade customers - hospitality businesses including bars, restaurants, hotels, catering operations, and similar commercial operations. This trade-only availability reflects the collection's focus on professional use and commercial pack sizing. Home users seeking Riedel's Veritas stemware should consider the consumer Veritas collection.
What's the expected breakage rate?
Despite the fine-blown lightweight construction, Veritas's advanced manufacturing provides excellent durability. Breakage rates typically run 11-14% annually - similar to standard wine glasses - when staff are properly trained. The refined feel encourages more careful handling from staff, which can actually reduce breakage compared to heavier glasses that feel more robust. Proper training on handling premium stemware maintains reasonable breakage rates whilst delivering refined Bordeaux and Cabernet presentation.
