Name: Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne Glass
Brand: Riedel
Availability: InStock

Can I put the Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne glass in the dishwasher?

Yes - Riedel confirms this glass is dishwasher safe. Handwashing is still recommended for longevity. If using a dishwasher, select a gentle cycle at no more than 55 degrees Celsius, ensure glasses are well spaced, and avoid heavily abrasive or lemon-scented detergents. Remove promptly at the end of the cycle.

Quick Overview: Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne glass, mouth-blown in Austria since 1985 - a 330ml lead-free crystal flute with sparkling point, designed to concentrate the bouquet of vintage and aged champagne rather than letting bubbles dominate. Available as a single glass or a set of 2.

Jump to: Q&A | Specs | Care & Use | Guarantees | FAQ

Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne Glass

The Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne glass was designed in 1985 with a specific purpose: to prioritise the aromatic complexity of great champagne over the visual spectacle of the bubbles. Mouth-blown from lead-free crystal in Austria, the slim tapered bowl concentrates the yeasty, autolytic character that distinguishes aged and vintage champagne from non-vintage, whilst the creamy texture of the wine registers clearly on the palate. A sparkling point etched into the base of the bowl encourages a steady, fine bead. Available as a single glass or a set of 2.

Riedel's recommendation to serve dry champagne in a flute rather than a coupe or a standard wine glass is straightforward: a coupe loses aromatics to the open air immediately, and a glass filled to the brim can carry no nose at all. This glass is the Sommeliers answer to that problem - tall enough to concentrate the bouquet, tapered enough to keep it there, and shaped to ensure the bubbles contribute to the overall experience rather than overwhelming it.

As part of the Sommeliers collection - the world's first varietal-specific wine glass range, created by Claus J. Riedel in the Bauhaus tradition of form following function - each glass is individually crafted by hand. Small variations in size, weight, and finish are inherent to the mouth-blown process and are an accepted characteristic of handmade glassware at this level.

Slim tapered bowl: 330ml capacity designed to concentrate bouquet and control bubble presentation in vintage and aged champagne
Sparkling point: Etched into the bowl base to encourage a consistent, fine bead
Mouth-blown in Austria: Each glass individually crafted as part of the Sommeliers handmade collection
Lead-free crystal: Exceptional clarity and lightness, with the inherent character of hand production
Dishwasher safe: Though handwashing is recommended for longevity
Available as a single glass or a set of 2

This glass is designed for those who drink vintage champagne, prestige cuvee, or aged non-vintage with any seriousness - occasions where the nose and palate matter as much as the occasion itself.

What Customers Ask About the Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne Glass

Which champagnes is this glass designed for?

Riedel designed this glass specifically for vintage champagne and aged champagnes where aromatic complexity - the yeasty, biscuity autolytic character that develops with time on lees - is a significant part of what is in the glass. The slim tapered shape concentrates that bouquet rather than dispersing it. It is also well suited to prestige cuvee styles. For younger non-vintage champagne where freshness and effervescence are the primary appeal, a standard champagne flute may be equally appropriate; the Sommeliers Vintage shape is optimised for wines with more aromatic development.

Is this sold as a single glass or a pair?

This glass is available as a single glass or as a set of 2. Please select your preferred option from the variants on this page. The price displayed will update accordingly. Buying a single glass first is a practical way to assess the shape before committing to a full set.

What is the sparkling point and does it make a difference?

The sparkling point is a small etched mark on the interior base of the bowl. It provides a nucleation site - a point from which carbon dioxide can consistently escape the wine as a stream of fine bubbles, rather than releasing erratically across the glass surface. The result is a more uniform bead. Whether this registers as a meaningful difference in practice will depend on the champagne and the individual, but it is a design feature specific to this glass rather than a generic finishing mark.

Why a flute rather than a coupe or a wine glass?

Riedel's position is that a coupe - with its wide, shallow bowl - disperses aromatic compounds into the air immediately, leaving nothing for the nose to work with. A standard wine glass filled to the brim has the same problem. The flute shape retains the bouquet within the bowl and delivers it towards the nose as you drink. For champagnes where the bouquet is a central part of the experience, that containment matters. If champagne is being served primarily as a reception drink or toast where aroma is less the point, the shape distinction is less critical.

What does mouth-blown mean for this glass, and should I expect variation between pieces?

Mouth-blown means each glass is individually shaped by a skilled glassblower rather than produced by machine. Riedel confirms that small tolerances in size and weight, and occasional minor surface variations or tiny inclusions, are a normal and accepted part of the handmaking process - not defects. Two glasses from the same set may differ very slightly in weight or dimension. This is inherent to handmade glassware and is part of its character. If absolute uniformity between pieces is important to you, Riedel's machine-made ranges such as Veritas or Veloce offer greater consistency.

Can I put this in the dishwasher?

Yes - unlike some other Sommeliers shapes, Riedel confirms this glass is dishwasher safe. That said, handwashing is still our recommendation for mouth-blown crystal at this level. The tall, narrow profile makes it relatively vulnerable to contact with other items in a dishwasher. If you do use a dishwasher, select a gentle cycle at no more than 55°C, ensure the glasses are well spaced, and remove promptly. Avoid heavily abrasive or lemon-scented detergents, which can cloud crystal over time.

Sommeliers and the Bauhaus Principle

The Sommeliers collection was created by Claus J. Riedel - the ninth generation of the Riedel glassmaking family - and was the world's first varietal-specific wine glass range. Its design philosophy drew directly from the Bauhaus principle of form following function: every aspect of a glass's shape should serve the wine it contains, with no decorative element that does not contribute to performance. Thin-blown, unadorned, and precisely shaped, Sommeliers established the category that the wider wine glass industry subsequently followed.

The Vintage Champagne shape, designed in 1985, applies that same logic to sparkling wine. The slim taper, the height, and the sparkling point are all functional decisions. The glass exists to serve the champagne - specifically vintage and aged champagne, where the aromatic complexity that develops over years of ageing deserves a vessel capable of presenting it properly.

Specifications

Collection: Riedel Sommeliers

Pack Options: Single glass or set of 2

Capacity: 330ml

Height: 245mm (24.5cm)

Material: Lead-free crystal

Production Method: Mouth-blown in Austria

Year of Design: 1985

Special Features: Sparkling point to aid bubble formation

Recommended for: Vintage champagne, aged champagne, prestige cuvee

Dishwasher Safe: Yes (handwashing recommended)

Care & Use Instructions

Handwashing (Recommended): Use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Hold the glass by the base and use a soft cloth or sponge to clean the interior - a narrow bottle brush works well for flutes if preferred. Never twist the bowl whilst holding the stem. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a lint-free microfibre or linen cloth to prevent water spots forming on the crystal.

Dishwasher (Dishwasher Safe): Riedel confirms this glass is dishwasher safe. Use a gentle cycle at no more than 55°C. The tall, narrow profile means spacing is important - ensure glasses are secured and cannot knock against each other or the dishwasher rack. Avoid lemon-scented or heavily abrasive detergents, which can cloud crystal over time. Remove promptly at the end of the cycle and allow to air dry briefly with the door open.

Polishing: Hold the base firmly in one hand and polish the bowl with a lint-free cloth in the other. Do not grip both base and bowl simultaneously as this creates torsional stress on the stem. For flutes, a long microfibre cloth folded lengthways works more effectively than a broad polishing cloth.

The Sparkling Point: The etched sparkling point on the interior base of the bowl should be left as-is. Do not attempt to clean or polish the interior of the base aggressively, as this may affect the nucleation point over time.

Storage: Store upright and never rim-down or stacked. The slim profile makes flutes relatively easy to store efficiently, but ensure they cannot knock together. A dedicated flute rack or padded dividers are worth considering for a set at this level.

Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?

We have specialised in Riedel glassware since our founding in 1972. The Sommeliers collection is one we know well, and we are happy to advise on whether the Vintage Champagne shape is the right fit for the champagnes you drink most often - contact us before purchasing if you are weighing up options.

Our Guarantees to You

✓ No Quibble Returns (Unopened Items)
✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
✓ Price Match Guarantee

Accidental breakage within 2 years of purchase means we will replace the glass at half the current retail price, with proof of purchase and evidence of the breakage. A photo is sufficient. Online orders are logged automatically.

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. 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. All glassware is carefully packed with protective packaging.

Can I return the glass if I change my mind?

Yes - we offer a no quibble return guarantee on unopened glassware in original packaging within 30 days of purchase. We cannot accept returns on opened or used glassware due to hygiene and quality control requirements.

How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?

If you accidentally break a glass within 2 years of purchase, we will replace it at half the current retail price. You will need proof of purchase (receipt, bank statement, or online order confirmation) and evidence of the breakage - a photo is sufficient. Online purchases are logged automatically; for in-store purchases, ask us to log the sale at the time.

I noticed slight variation between my two glasses - is this normal?

Yes, this is expected and confirmed by Riedel. The Sommeliers collection is mouth-blown by hand, and small tolerances in size, weight, and finish - along with occasional minor surface variations or tiny inclusions - are a normal part of the handmaking process. They are not defects. If you require absolute consistency between pieces, Riedel's machine-made ranges such as Veritas or Veloce may be more suitable.

What if I have seen this glass cheaper elsewhere?

We offer a price match guarantee. If you find this identical product - same collection, same glass shape, same pack quantity - available from a competitor at a lower price on the same day, let us know and we will match it. Contact us via our contact page with the details.

Are these glasses marked to confirm they are genuine Riedel?

Authentic Riedel Sommeliers glasses carry the Riedel mark, typically etched into the base. All glasses sold by The Riedel Shop are genuine Riedel products. We are an authorised UK retailer and source stock directly from Riedel.

Is this suitable as a gift?

The Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne glass comes in Riedel's presentation packaging, which is appropriate for gifting. Select either the single glass or set of 2 from the variants on this page.

Riedel Blanc de Blancs Wine Glasses

Riedel Sommeliers Vintage Champagne Glasses