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Riedel, the world’s leading glassmaker, has released three new decanters ahead of Christmas and the wedding season.
The latest decanters from Riedel are inspired by the birdlife of Murano, the Venetian island famed for its glassmaking, and designed by Maximilian Riedel (11th generation) in consultation with Georg Riedel (10th generation). The three decanters reflect Riedel’s proven ability to combine form and function while letting imagination take flight in an elegant manner.
Flamingo
Among the three new releases is Flamingo named after the vibrant pink bird. While the new Flamingo decanter isn’t pink, it’s equally distinctive with a broad, bulb-shaped base and an exaggerated long and slender neck like the legs of the bird it is named after.
The extended neck has a lip that shears off at an acute angle and both characteristics provide an easier pour. The base features a very deep punt that accommodates the entire thumb, while allowing the remaining fingers to securely cradle the outside of the decanter. The Flamingo provides perfect stability and control when pouring while catching sediment.
Hand blown and made of lead crystal, the Flamingo holds a standard 750 ml bottle of wine.
And for these who prefer their Flamingos pink, Riedel suggests a nice bottle of Rosé. RRP $650.
Paloma
The second new offering from Riedel is named after the stylish Paloma white-winged dove with a curvilinear form. Wine is poured into the widest opening in the ‘tail’ of the vessel and from the narrower curved neck. The ‘tail,’ a natural hand-hold, enables a sure grip, and the slender, angled neck with its elliptical mouth provides a perfect dripless pour. Mouth-blown and made of lead crystal, the Paloma holds a standard 750 ml bottle of wine. RRP $650.
Swan
Riedel’s third and final new offering is named after the epitome of elegance, the Swan. The body of the decanter mimics the gentle curvature of a swan’s form, creating a ‘J’ shape with an exaggeratedly elongated straight neck that narrows to the elliptical lip. Wine is poured into the wider opening of the swan’s ‘tail’ (which also forms a natural handle for service) then effortlessly poured into the glass from the narrow ‘neck.’ As fascinating to look at as it is functional to use, the Swan decanter separates sediment in older wines, while allowing younger ones to aerate and mature. Mouth-blown and made of lead crystal, the Swan holds a standard 750 ml bottle of wine. RRP $650.
Riedel offers over three dozen decanters in their existing collection and these new bird-inspired releases are a must for serious wine drinkers says Georg Riedel. “Decanting old wines just before they are served helps ensure that the wines’ clarity and brilliance are not obscured by deposits that may have developed over time, while decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom.”
Riedel is available at Glengarry, Urban Loft, Smith & Caughey, Studio of Tableware, Kirkcaldie & Stains and J Ballantynes and selected specialist gift and wine stores throughout New Zealand. For a full list of stockists refer to the shops menu on the Riedel website.
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