WITH AN OPEN HEART, RIEDEL WELCOMES THREE NEW DECANTERS INTO THE BLACK TIE COLLECTION

Striking. Alluring. Desirable. For 250-plus years Riedel Crystal’s collections have become known for pushing the limits; offering ground-breaking ideas and award winning designs that enhance wine enjoyment. At the heart of the matter is Riedel’s newest introduction, three lead crystal, mouth-blown decanters to make your pulse race. Clearly, Riedel’s most romantic decanters to date, Smile, Touch and Bliss retail for $195/each.

From a company where beauty and utility go hand-in-hand, these lustrous decanters are not only stunning works of art, but practical pieces for everyday use that engage the senses with their dramatic design. “Lately, Riedel has been moving towards more organic shapes and subjects,” explains Maximilian Riedel, 11th generation and CEO of Riedel Crystal America. “We have designed decanters that reflect the grace of birds in flight; and created the Eve decanter, whose twists and turns mimic that of the famed serpentine in the age-old tale,” he says. “Now we move to a physical representation of human emotions; it’s a natural evolution.”

With its soft curves, Smile’s sultry form makes this decanter a superb addition to any collection. The decanter’s inverted heart-shaped base makes it effortless to hold in the palm of the hand and easy to pour. Starting from the narrow opening at the top, Black Tie’s signature tuxedo line descends dramatically to the bottom.

Seemingly defying gravity, Touch rests confidently on an asymmetrically bulb-shaped base and features a ridge that tapers into an elegantly angled neck. This ridge, adorned with a chic ribbon of black crystal, effectively acts as an integrated handle, guaranteeing a comfortable grip in the hand.

A labor of love, Bliss displays a rotund foundation with an off-center heart stamped from each side, thus compressing the crystal into a thin pane of solid glass. This innovative design forces the wine to pool around the element while providing a place for the fingers to rest as the wine flows out of the decanter into a waiting glass. Like the rest of the collection, Bliss is dressed up with a black tuxedo stripe that extends gracefully from top to bottom.

Skillfully created by the master glass-blowers at Riedel, the newest members of the Black Tie collection were especially designed to provide the user with a comfortable resting place for the hand on the base of each vessel, rather than the more delicate neck area. This thoughtful feature ensures that the decanters can be confidently and securely held during service while keeping fingerprints to a minimum. “Smile, Touch and Bliss are emotionally accessible pieces that allow you a more pleasurable wine experience through their handling,” Georg Riedel, 10th generation and global head of Riedel Crystal explains. “The names say it all – the way these shapes feel and are held evoke joy, and that is exactly what you should feel when enjoying wine.”

All three daring decanters stand 14 -3/8 inches tall, are mouth-blown and formed by hand without the use of molds, making each a unique work of art and marvelous additions to Riedel’s Black Tie collection.

Visit www.riedelwebstore.com for a complete selection of all Riedel glassware and decanters.