Nyårstaffel, Nina and Riedel: “Hygge”& Education
Yesterday, we gathered for our yearly Nyårstaffel, and just before, our gold sponsor, Wine Group, hosted a Riedel glass masterclass at No2 in Copenhagen.
It was a crisp morning, the kind that reminds you of winter’s charm, though I couldn’t help but wonder if God himself forgot about parking spaces when planning Christiansborg. Nevertheless, the day unfolded into a wonderful one filled with education, wine, and “hygge”.
The program kicked off at 11:00 with the Riedel masterclass, led by Matthew Knight, Riedel’s representative for the Nordic region, and a true expert in the art of wine glass design.
Riedel Masterclass lineup. Photo Ronja Bo Gustavsson
Highlights from the Riedel Masterclass
The wine glasses included in the tasting:
Veritas “R” Sauvignon Blanc
Veritas “R” Oak Chardonnay
Veritas “R” OW Pinot Noir
Veritas “R” Cabernet/Merlot
Matthew guided us through the experience of how a glass can transform the perception of wine.
We began with the Fincher & Co. Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2022, a zesty and vibrant white wine from Marlborough, New Zealand. The Veritas “R” Sauvignon Blanc glass (optimized for Sauvignon Blanc and similar aromatic white wines) clearly helped control the acidity, bring out fruity aromas, and reveal delicate floral notes. In contrast, the same wine tasted in the Veritas “R” Oak Chardonnay glass muted its green apple aromas and overwhelmed the palate with acidity.
Next, we moved to the Foxglove Chardonnay 2019 from California’s Central Coast. The oaked Chardonnay revealed its creamy textures and flavors of ripe apple, tropical fruits, caramel, toffee, and vanilla in the Veritas “R” Oak Chardonnay glass. When tasted in the Veritas “R” Sauvignon Blanc glass, much of the fruit was lost, and its richness and creaminess were diminished.
The third wine in the lineup was the Adams Wein Ingelheim Spätburgunder 2020, a Spätburgunder from Rheinhessen, Germany. The Veritas “R” OW Pinot Noir glass highlighted the wine’s earthy undertones and bright red berry aromas like cherries and strawberries. When tasted in the Veritas “R” Cabernet/Merlot glass, the delicate fruity aromas were almost gone, and the wine’s elegance was lost.
Finally, we concluded with the Château Barbeyron 2021, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux. The robust red, with its plum and blackberries, was balanced by the tannins and acidity when served in the Veritas “R” Cabernet/Merlot glass. However, when tasted in the Veritas “R” OW Pinot Noir glass, it appeared overly tannic and less harmonious.
Each wine served as a perfect demonstration of how the right glass enhances the wine’s unique characteristics—from aroma and texture to balance and finish. The Riedel Veritas series is designed with specific grape varieties and vinification techniques in mind.
Matthew Knight, Riedel. Photo Ronja Bo Gustavsson
The conclusion of the session: The glass truly matters, and yesterday’s lineup was a masterclass in demonstrating this.
Christian Aarø, President, Nina Jensen, new honorary member & Tim Vollerslev, Vice President. Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson
Nyårsstaffel
After the masterclass, it was time for our yearly Nyårstaffel, where members and sponsors enjoyed great conversations, wines (a big thank you to our sponsors for their contributions), and snacks.
Dansk Sommelier Forening was proud to appoint Nina Jensen as our new honorary member. Congratulations, Nina! Your contributions to the wine and sommelier community (not only in Denmark but internationally) are truly inspiring.
