Riedel In Austria: Cheaper Or Expensive?

Riedel is an Austrian glass company known for its handcrafted wine glasses and decanters. Founded in 1756, Riedel has been producing glassware for over 265 years and is currently led by the 10th and 11th generations of the Riedel family. The company is renowned for its innovative designs, including the first varietal-specific stemware, which revolutionised the way people consume wine and other alcoholic beverages. With a minimum order value of €400, free shipping is offered for orders of €75 and above in Austria. In this discussion, we will explore whether purchasing Riedel products is more affordable in Austria, the country of their origin.

Shipping costs

Riedel offers free shipping for orders over a certain amount, depending on the delivery location. For deliveries to Austria, free shipping is available for orders of €75 and above. For Belgium, the minimum order value for free shipping is €125.

For deliveries within the European Union and some other specified countries, Riedel collaborates with DHL Paket, and for countries outside the European Union, UPS is used.

The standard delivery charges for some countries are as follows:

• Austria, Germany: €15
• Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia: €20
• Portugal, Spain: €30
• Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden: €40
• Cyprus, Iceland, Malta, Norway: €85
• UAE: €600 (no free shipping)
• India: €1500 (no free shipping)

The Riedel website also provides a delivery lead time of 10-14 business days for in-stock items delivered within Europe. However, it is important to note that these delivery times are guidelines and not guarantees. During busy periods, such as holidays, bad weather, or public holidays, deliveries may take longer.

For deliveries outside of Europe, such as to India, the UAE, or off-shore locations, the lead time can be up to 2-4 weeks.

Additionally, Riedel provides the option to create an account and switch countries on their website, allowing customers to take advantage of the terms, conditions, pricing, and shipping settings of the selected delivery country.

Glassmaking history

Riedel is a 300-year-old family-owned company that was founded in 1756 in Bohemia and is currently based in Kufstein, Austria. It is recognised as the oldest family-owned and operated global crystal glass brand in the world. The company is managed by Georg Riedel and Maximilian Riedel, who are from the 10th and 11th generations of the Riedel family, respectively.

Riedel has been producing glass in the heart of Europe for over 265 years and across eleven generations. The company is known for its unique glassmaking art, with a focus on creating wine-specific glassware that enhances the drinking experience.

The story of the Riedel family is one of success, innovation, and resilience. After World War II, the family lost their property and factories in Bohemia and were dispossessed. Walter Riedel, the 8th generation, was imprisoned in Russia for ten years. However, through courage and determination, he restarted the business in Kufstein, Tyrol, Austria, continuing the family's legacy of glassmaking.

Riedel has endured economic crises, social upheavals, and personal tragedies while maintaining its commitment to producing high-quality glassware. The company has introduced innovative designs, such as the first wine-friendly stemware in the 1950s, and has pioneered grape varietal-specific stemware, becoming the brand of choice for wine connoisseurs and professionals worldwide.

The Riedel family's glassmaking history is a rich narrative of perseverance, creativity, and a dedication to the art of glassmaking.

Glassmaking art

Glassmaking is an ancient art form that has been practised for centuries. The techniques used to create glass art are often used to describe the artwork itself. There are several different techniques and processes used to make glass art, including glassblowing, hot sculpting, cold working, glass casting, stained glass, and fusing glass.

Glass Blowing

Glassblowing is a challenging process that is usually performed by a team of artists. The lead glassblower is called the gaffer. Glassblowing involves using a combination of sand and soda-lime, along with colouring agents, to produce a raw material that is melted together to form molten glass. This glass is then "gathered" from the furnace onto a blowpipe, and the glassblowers use air blown into the pipe, along with specific tools and movements, to shape the molten glass quickly before it cools. Once the desired shape is achieved, the glass sculpture is placed in an annealing oven to cool down slowly until stable.

There are two main methods of glassblowing: offhand glass blowing and lampworking. Offhand glass blowing requires three furnaces: the furnace, the glory hole, and the annealer. The furnace holds the molten glass, the glory hole is used to reheat the glass during the shaping process, and the annealer is where the glass is slowly cooled to reduce thermal stress. Lampworking, on the other hand, involves using propane/oxygen torches, rods, and tubes of glass to shape the glass with the help of metal and graphite tools. This technique was traditionally done using an alcohol lamp and breath or bellows, and it is often used to create beads, miniature glass items, figurines, sculptures, and laboratory glass.

Hot Sculpting

Hot sculpting is a process where solid metal rods gather molten glass from a furnace, and special tools are used to shape the glass without blowing. This technique tends to create much larger solid pieces of glass art, and it involves the proper usage of heat and tools, with the addition of colour and bit application, such as handles. Blocks are also used to shape and mould the glass.

Warm Glass

Warm glass is a process that involves heating the glass in an oven or kiln. Common terms for kiln-made glass include 'slumped glass', 'fused glass', 'kiln glass', and 'bent glass'. Slumping involves heating flat plate or sheet glass to a temperature where it becomes flexible and can be placed onto a mould to form a new shape. Fusing glass involves heating pieces of glass to a higher temperature than slumping, causing them to melt together. Kiln casting glass involves pouring molten glass into a mould inside the kiln, and it can include using crushed glass or a powdery glass paste.

Cold Working

Cold working or 'cold worked' glass involves any techniques or processes done to the glass when it is not hot. This type of glassworking is often done in conjunction with hot and warm glass techniques. Examples of cold-working techniques include grinding, polishing, etching, and engraving. Acid etching involves applying acid to the glass surface to create a matte finish, while sandblasting involves blasting the glass surface with air and a gritty material to achieve a similar effect.

Lampworking or Flameworking

Lampworking, also known as flameworking, is a technique that uses premade borosilicate glass tubes and rods. The glass is heated with a handheld or bench torch to form it into the desired shape. This technique is popular for creating glass sculptures, beads, jewellery, ornaments, and small figurines. Borosilicate glass is favoured because it can handle extreme temperature changes without cracking.

Wine glass shapes

The shape of a wine glass is essential to allowing a wine to reach its full flavour potential. The bowl, stem, and base of a wine glass are all part of its architecture, and each component plays a role in enhancing the wine-drinking experience.

The Bowl

The bowl of a wine glass is the most important part when it comes to wine-specific glassware. The shape, size, and rim diameter of the bowl are all crucial to allowing the wine to develop its tastes and aromas. For example, red wine glasses typically have full, round bowls and large rims to provide greater aeration of the wine, drawing out its aromas and flavours. White wine glasses, on the other hand, usually have smaller, narrower bowls to preserve delicate, fresh aromas.

The Stem

The height of the stem is also important to the overall design of the glass. A taller stem contributes to the elegance of the glass and can also prevent the wine from being warmed by the drinker's hand.

The Base

The width of the base is another design element that contributes to the overall harmony of the glass. A wider base provides stability, ensuring the glass is well-balanced.

Riedel, a 300-year-old family-owned company, is known for its creation of grape varietal-specific glassware. The company has conducted extensive research into how the size and shape of a glass impact the wine-drinking experience. This research has led to the conclusion that the aroma, taste, texture, finish, and overall enjoyment of wine are maximised by using the correct "wine instrument".

Price ranges

The price range of Riedel products varies depending on the type of glassware and the collection it belongs to. Riedel produces glassware collections catering to different lifestyles and price ranges, ensuring that there is something for every wine lover.

Riedel's entry-level collection, Ouverture, offers fine crystal glasses at reasonable prices for customers who appreciate good wine without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the Black Series Collector's Edition, introduced in 2013 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Sommeliers glass series, falls into the premium category. These glasses are handmade in crystal glass, adding to their exclusivity and price.

The Riedel website mentions a minimum order value of €400, and free shipping is offered for orders of €75 and above. Additionally, there is a minimum purchase requirement of four cases for orders placed through the webshop.

Riedel also has a physical store and outlet in Kufstein, Austria, where customers can purchase their renowned glassware. The flagship store is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Here, customers can browse the extensive collection and receive expert advice on choosing the right glassware for their wine preferences.

While the brand is synonymous with fine handcrafted wine glasses, it is essential to note that their prices vary depending on the collection and the level of craftsmanship involved.

Frequently asked questions