The Anniversary of Riedel at Dunham Cellars

Does the shape of the wine glass really make a difference in the taste of the wine? I sure think it does. The thickness of the glass lip to the size of the bowl - - it all makes a difference. Since I purchased my first Riedels, I can honestly say that I see the difference when using other wine glasses. I love my Riedels!

Ninth generation, Claus J. Riedel, of the Riedel glass-making family re-invented the wine glass. His father, recently released from his forced post-war employment in the USSR, started the family business again in Austria. The genius behind the Riedel as we know it, took two forms.

First, Claus changed the wine glass from colored and cut glass to a newer style. His glasses were plain and unadorned. Since he no longer used cut glass, the stemware could be thinner and long-stemmed. The art was the glass itself in it's simplistic form. Museums and collectors saw his glasses as works of art; the Museum of Modern Art in New York placed them in their collection.

The second form, Claus Riedel pioneered the study of the effect of shapes on the way humans would perceive wine, and other alcoholic beverages, through their senses. Working with professional wine tasters, Claus discovered that the professionals felt wine tasted better in the Riedel glasses. Compared to other wine glasses, they could taste and smell more of the nuances and depths of the wine in the Riedel glasses.

In celebration of Riedel's 250th Anniversary Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla is proud to host Maximilian Riedel. September 30, 2006 at 6:30-9:00 pm, it will be an evening of of wine and glassware education like nothing you have ever experienced.

Mr. Riedel, 11th generation Riedel and inventor of the "O" glass will walk you through a tasting using varietal specific stemware with Dunham Cellars' wines. Please book early as space is limisted. Dunham Cellars is one of only two locations in the Northwest that Maximilian will be visiting this year. $110 per person includes 4 Riedel glasses, Riedel booklet, wine for tasting, and an appetizer to be enjoyed after the tasting.