Tonight was somewhat an opening night for Savor Dallas at the new Irving Convention Center in Las Colinas. The real activity starts tomorrow with the Arts District Wine Stroll. But, tonight was a very nice introduction to what to expect. We were treated to a rare appearance by Maximilian Riedel of the famed Austrian Riedel Master Glassmaker clan. 

Being the Founder of an International Jazz Festival like Uptown Jazz Dallas IJF where we're focused on music, food, fashion, film and the arts, I get to grow like everyone else in the knowledge base of what's going into the things that make our life's joyful experiences better. When it comes to wine, you don't know anything about wine tasting until you hear someone like 11th generation Maximillian Riedel walk you through the reasonings behind using the proper glassware when tasting great wines.

Tonight's wine tasting featured Riedel's new Vinum XL glasses which are positioned as the new generation of Riedel wine glasses developed for big, bold and concentrated wines. The Vinum XL line are executed in lead crystal and machine blown in Bavaria, Germany. They are described as:

~ Large, Luxurious and Lofty

~ Grape Variety Specific

~ Dishwasher Safe

Anyway, suffice it say that Riedel is the best in the business and I recommend you read about their long history in glassmaking. Tonight though, we had a namesake CEO of the family business leading us on a tasting journey. Three different red wines to be tasted using the new Vinum XL glasses (that all in attendance took home as a gift, by the way). Maximillian lead us into a deep understanding of how wine glasses deliver the message of the winemaker. He says, and, I now agree, that wine glasses properly transmit it's taste, the fruit and the process behind the wine. Imagine with me for a moment. One red wine. Three different glasses by Riedel. Three different experiences with each glass. Different aromas in each glass. And a different taste in each Vinum XL. It's just like Jim White (Co-Founder of Savor Dallas) stated at the outset in his introduction of  Maximillian, "You'll never taste wine the same after this". It's true. Partaking of a great wine from anything other than a Riedel glass should be avoided at all cost. I mean, for the serious wine connoisseur. These premiums can't be drank from plastic cups! This is strictly forbidden.

We found out tonight that the wine glass is a tool for unveiling the message of the winemaker. The dynamics of how glass changes the taste and experience is a mastery that the Riedel family has perfected at the highest levels.

We also discovered that 'decanters' are a bridge between a good bottle of wine and your glass. This is a very important bridge we discovered. And, Riedel has developed some of the most advanced decanters known to man. They are beautiful, stylish and technologically sound. Technological? Yes, you have to see what was referred to as 'the Texas Rattlesnake (see below). This decanter is a showstopper for you entertaining your guests. Amazing and beautiful but seriously functional as that bridge from the wine to the glass.

Every year I enjoy our relationship with Savor Dallas, as their Director of Video, I look forward to our UJD team capturing the great highlights of the Savor Dallas experience. I learn along with everyone else. And, it's wonderful to see someone like Maximillian Riedel share his family's legacy in supporting the experience of tasting the finest wines of the world. Without Riedel, the experience is truly lost!

Tomorrow (Friday, March 30) we're in the Dallas Arts District for the Wine Stroll. Tickets are still available, get info at www.SavorDallas.com

For more information on this great glassware, visit Riedel.

Cheers,

Keith Hill

CEO

Uptown Jazz Dallas, LLC

From tonight at the Irving Convention Center with Riedel: