Learning about Riedel wine glass

Does your wine taste cheap? The fault may lie with your stemware rather than your wine. Over the last two years, Artisan Blue which offers exclusive private RIEDEL glass wine tasting experiences in Malaysia, has been educating wine connoisseurs on how the design of a glass can significantly improve the aroma, taste and texture of a wine. 

Co-founder Jeff Ng of Artisan Blue, an alcoholic beverage wholesaler, took us on a journey of discovery that explored the uniqueness of RIEDEL glasses. Armed with a 286-year-old history, the Austrian glass manufacturing label has built its reputation on designing specific stemware to uncork the personality of different grape varieties and the subtle character of wines. 

We tried 4 grape varieties – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon – using top-of-the-line RIEDEL Performance Tasting Set. Backed by science, the architecture of each glass including its size, shape and opening, is optimally designed to control the amount of contact between air and wine while directing the flow of wine at the ideal speed to the correct part of the tongue.  

Exquisitely crafted from crystal with a fine, elegant stem and perfectly stabilised base, the laser-cut, fine rim creates a seamless transition from glass to mouth. For comparison, a joker glass ( a standard-shaped traditional wine glass with a thicker rim diameter) was used to prove that when it comes to wine, the right glass does matter. 

In between sips of fine wine, we savoured mustard seed-crusted cream cheese and gouda truffle from France, also brought in by Artisan Blue. While learning the art of glass handling, washing and proper wine etiquette, Jeff regaled us with stories of his adventures through the vibrant vineyards of Europe.

He stayed in a vineyard during his trip to Tuscany, Italy and visited the top vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Château Angelus in Bordeaux, France where he learned firsthand about the different grape varieties, terroir and winemaking techniques.

After a personal invite to visit the RIEDEL glass-making factory in Kufstein, Austria, he was inspired by his eye-opening trip to share his knowledge and insights by offering an experience rather than just a product. Jeff is currently pursuing the coveted title of Ambassador for RIEDEL Glass to empower more wine enthusiasts to drink less and enjoy more.

The passionate wine connoisseur says, “My mission is to make the love of wine accessible to all with a focus on fair prices, quality education, and unrivalled tasting experiences. I believe wine is a powerful tool for building connections and creating memorable experiences.”

Artisan Blue also imports its wines from renowned winemakers from Italy and France including Barolo in the Piedmont region in Italy, Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône region in France and Burgundy region in France.

Artisan Blue’s exclusive RIEDEL glass wine tasting experience is at a special price of RM189 (valued at RM1,900), available for a limited time only. 

For more deets, visit badwineorwrongglass.com or call Jef at 012-349 6705.