May122008
Austrian Crystal Maker Max Riedel Comes to The Ranch Club
By KATE MURPHY of the Missoulian
In the world of wine, Maximilian (Max)
Riedel could be compared to fashion shoe designer icon Manolo Blahnik,
making the perfect accessory for your favorite glass of Burgundy,
Borolo or Bordeaux. This 11th-generation Austrian crystal maker, whose
family makes the world’s most famous stemware, is coming to Missoula on
May 13 to present a tasting with his Vitis line of crystal at the Ranch
Club. For oenophiles, this is bigger than Elton John’s return to
Missoula.
In case you’re not familiar with the name, Riedel is
synonymous with fine, feather-light crystal wineglasses. Max carries
the torch of a 250-year old family tradition by continuing to design
stemware to pair with specific types of wine. He designed the highly
popular “O” series, the stemless tumblers that I love so much for a
variety of different reasons. I don’t knock them over as easily as the
glasses with stems and when I do, they tend to just weeble-wobble. They
also work perfectly at picnics and in the kitchen while madly dashing
about making a meal.
The theory behind the design of Riedel
crystal, from the shape of the bowl and degree of tapering at the rim
to the design of the rim itself, can affect the way someone experiences
the aroma, taste and harmony of a wine. For example, if you take a sip
from the Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux glass, its conical shape first sends
the wine to the tip of your tongue, where you taste sweetness, which
enhances the fruit, before it spreads to the back of your palate, where
you detect acid and tannin. This design concept is why Riedel Sommelier
crystal is regarded as the finest in the world by many wine
professionals.
I
am looking forward to the Riedel event, as I understand Max is very
well-spoken and really wows the audience with his presentations. I have
taken the Riedel glass test many times and am a believer. If you
haven’t used the glasses before, this event presents the ideal
opportunity to understand what all the fuss is about for yourself. And
if you are a fan of the glasses, you likely already have tickets and
are waiting with anticipation to meet this iconic wine glass maker.
The
cost of the event is $110, and includes the new Vitis Tasting Set of
four glasses, which are 24 percent lead crystal glasses and retail for
$140. You can purchase tickets at Worden’s, the Good Food Store and the
Ranch Club.
I hope to see many of you there!
Kate Murphy is the wine writer for the Missoulian and Missoula.com magazine. Check out her blog at KnowYourVino.com.
Article can also be viewed on the Missoulian website: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/05/12/unwind/unwind05.txt
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