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Riedel’s fun new wine glasses are perfect for picnics, chic tables, or anywhere.
The only thing missing from Riedel’s newest line of wine glasses, O, is the stem. And that’s the point. As with all other Riedel glasses, the bowls of these tumblers are specifically designed to enhance the flavor and aroma of each grape variety. Bonus: they’re cheaper ($10-13 a piece or $20-25 for a pair), dishwasher safe, and, sans stem, easier to store. We love them on Asian-inspired tabletops or elegant, white-tablecloth spreads, but feel free to pack a few in your picnic basket or use them to set your patio table. When picking a pour to go with your new tumblers, follow Georg Riedel’s rule of thumb: buy a bottle that costs about what you spent on a single glass. Above are a few of our favorites.
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Pinot/Nebbiolo >>
(#414/7) $13
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2002 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma County ($13) Tart berries with a soft, easy finish. A lovely wine at a lovely price.
2001 Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France ($17) Round and supple, with a deep garnet color and complexity.
2002 Orogeny Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California ($25) Brown spice in the nose with a raspberry and cherry finish.
2001 Enzo Boglietti Buio, Piedmont, Italy ($33) Primarily Nebbiolo grapes with Barbera added for brightness. A hearty wine.
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Cabernet/Merlot >>
(#414/0) $13
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2000 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California ($18) Structured tannins with spicy pepper and plum notes. Great with rich beef dishes.
2002 Texas Roads Merlot, Fort Worth, Texas ($18) Robust, with black pepper and spice.
2001 Markham Merlot, Napa Valley, California ($20) Currant and hints of leather make an earthy combination.
2000 Whitehall Lane Winery Merlot, Napa Valley, California ($25) Crushed flower petals tease the palate with ripe berry.
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Syrah/Shiraz >>
(#414/30) $13
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2001 Thierry & Guy Fat Bastard Vin de Pays d’Oc Shiraz, France ($11) Fun name and a fun wine. A hearty mixture of berry, spice, and oak.
2002 David Bruce Petite Syrah, Central Coast, California ($16) Eucalyptus in the nose and a long, dry finish. This is a beauty.
2000 Fairview Shiraz, South Africa ($16) Licorice and spice with black fruit. A great classic Shiraz.
2000 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, Australia ($25) Medium-bodied and balanced, showing subtle oak. A wonderful pairing with spicy barbeque.
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Chardonnay >>
(#414/97) $13
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2000 Trefethen Eshcol Ranch Chardonnay, Napa, California ($8) Light, fruity accents and a creamy, rich finish.
2002 False Bay Chardonnay, Wellington, South Africa ($10) Lime notes in the nose; green apple and citrus flavor on the palate.
2001 Sebastiani Sonoma County Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($13)
Balanced, with pear and toasted almond flavors.
2002 Saintsbury Carneros Chardonnay, Napa, California ($20) Subtle oak and tropical fruit such as pineapple.
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Viognier/Chardonnay >>
(#414/5) $10
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2002 Santa Julia Viognier, Mendoza, Argentina ($11) Apricots and peaches with a sweet, honeysuckle nose.
2001 Cline Viognier, Sonoma County, California ($12) Similar characters to a Chardonnay with butter accents.
2001 Alamosa Wine Cellars Viognier, Texas Hill Country ($16) Sun-dried raisins accent the nutty flavor.
2000 Lys de Volan Viognier, Condrieu, France ($42) Viognier at its best, with a peach and pear bouquet and raisin finish. A splurge, but worth it.
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Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc >>
(#414/15) $13
RECOMMENDED WINES:
2002 Selbach TJ Mosel Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany ($12)Soft lingering fruit with hints of candied citrus.
2002 George Albrecht Schneider Riesling Kabinett, Niersteiner Paterberg, Germany ($11) Sweet, but not overwhelming.
2003 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($19) Hints of grapefruit combine with fig and oak.
2002 Mayacamas Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($20) Apple blossom bouquet with fresh pear accents.
