The search for the perfect Sauvignon Blanc glass has taken Riedel to the four corners of the globe, has involved hundreds of tasters, and has become the company's largest ever search for the optimum glass shape.

A Riedel 'Sauvignon blanc workshop' was held, in December 1997, at the Carmel Winery to illustrate the affects of the glass on wine. There it became apparent that the existing Vinum Sauvignon Blanc glass, while it enhanced the grape variety well, did not outperform the Ouverture white wine glass. This result led Riedel to hold tastings in Australia and New Zealand where the findings were similar, with the same three glasses winning each time.

Riedel developed prototypes to incorporate the shapes of the winning trio. To Riedel's great satisfaction, at workshops in Bordeaux and Austria, the newly developed shapes worked and some of the prototypes outperformed the trio.

The new Riedel Sommelier Loire/Sauvignon Blanc glass is suitable for all styles of Sauvignon Blanc, from the grassy, mineral wines of the Loire to the oak-aged, honeyed blends from Bordeaux. The tall, slim glass offers freshness and intensity on the nose, a harmonious palate, with an excellent balance of fruit and acidity, and a minerally finish.

The Riedel Sommelier Loire/Sauvignon Blanc glass is mouth blown from lead crystal.

Height 235 mm

Capacity 350 ccm

Material crystal

Production mouth-blown in Austria