Malbec glass proves a big hit at unveiling

The Malbec-specific glass developed by Riedel and Graffigna proved a big hit when it was unveiled at a Malbec tasting in New York.

Riedel’s Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec glasses

Riedel has created a number of glasses that have been designed to bring out the best of particular grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

The glassmaker partnered with Argentinian winegrower Graffigna to develop a glass specifically designed for the Malbec grape and it has been unveiled at a series of private seminars across the US, with the main event coming at an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan last month.

Various attendees at the event have said how impressed they were with the glass and that it did make a difference to the wine.

The event saw a Graffigna Malbec wine poured into three different glasses, the Pinot Noir, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec glass. Did it make a difference?

Richard Auffrey, from the Passionate Foodie blog, certainly thought so. He said: “Based on this limited test, I have to conclude that the shape and size of the glass made a significant difference in the aroma and taste of the Malbec wines we tasted. Everyone I spoke to at the event had a similar experience.”

He added: “The Malbec glass was designed to complement its fruit forwardness, sweet & smooth tannins, freshness and silky tannins. They wanted a larger bowl to provide more aroma, and the glass is taller than the others, almost egg-shaped, with a larger stem base. The glass is also designed to focus the wine to the centre and sides of your tongue.”

Auffrey was not the only one to be impressed, Roger Morris wrote in the Daily Meal: “The Riedel — tall and narrow with a somewhat-closed rim similar to a white wine glass — was obviously designed to gather elusive Malbec aromas and fruitiness. And it does just that. In it, the Malbec has good fruitiness of cherries and tart raspberries with a somewhat-dark, crisp, lean finish with dusty tannins.”