Austria's Riedel is the world's premier manufacturer of wine glasses. Made of 24-percent lead crystal, the Vinum series of glasses are the first machine-made wine glasses to be developed uniquely for each type of wine. Since their introduction in 1986, these wine glasses have had a large influence on the wine culture. The glasses in this set of six were specifically shaped to highlight the fruit in young, full-bodied red wines with high levels of tannin, such as Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, and Tempranillo. The mouths of the Bordeaux glasses draw wine to the areas of the tongue that perceive sweetness, emphasizing the fruit and mellowing the acidity. The large bowls provide room for the wine's rich bouquet to unfold. Each glass stands 8-7/8 inches high and holds 21-1/2 ounces of wine. --Cristina Vaamonde
