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Georg Josef Riedel

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Georg Josef Riedel (born December 17, 1949) is an Austrian glassmaker and businessman. He is the 10th-generation owner of Riedel (glass manufacturer) established in 1756 and best known for its production of grape varietal-specific glassware designed to enhance types of wines based on specific properties of individual grape varietals. Georg Riedel joined the family business in 1973 serving as accountant, before rising to co-CEO of Riedel Crystal alongside his father, Professor Claus Josef Riedel, from 1987 until 1994. He served as Chief Executive Officer from 1994 until 2013. Georg Riedel succeeded his father, who first developed the concept of wine-enhancing glassware in 1958, and is best known for bringing varietal-specific wine glasses to a global audience.

Early life

Georg Josef Riedel was born in 1949 in Innsbruck, Austria to Claus J Riedel and Adia Rosa Riedel (née Parodi).

Career

In 1973, Georg Riedel joined his family’s company as an accountant. In 1982, he expanded Riedel’s product-development process, founding the Glass Workshop based at the company headquarters in Kufstein, Austria, with an increased focus on the development of new glassware shapes to enhance the flavors of alcoholic beverages on the palate. In 1987 Riedel was named co-CEO of the company alongside his father Claus. In this role, Georg Riedel worked directly with industry experts and leading winemakers, including Robert Mondavi and Angelo Gaja, inviting them to taste their wines in Riedel glasses of different shapes and sizes to determine the glass that best expressed the flavors and aromas of their single varietal wines. As a result, Riedel Crystal earned the endorsement of industry experts and influential winemakers, who insisted that their wines be served exclusively in Riedel glasses. To that end, in 1991, Robert M. Parker, Jr. who described Riedel glassware in The Wine Advocate, claimed: “The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes are those made by Riedel. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound.”[1]

In 1994 Georg Riedel took over as sole Chief Executive Officer of Riedel Crystal. In 2013, Riedel stepped down as CEO and named his son, 11th-generation Maximilian Riedel, President and CEO of Riedel Crystal and its worldwide subsidiaries. Today, Riedel is managed jointly by Georg Riedel and Maximilian Riedel. The two travel the world to educate over 20,000 people annually on varietal specific stemware.

Acquisition of Subsidiaries & Expansion

In 1979 Georg Riedel established Riedel Crystal of America in New York. He continued the company’s expansion, opening Riedel offices in Canada (1992), Germany (1996), Japan (2000), the UK (2001), Australia (2007), and China and Japan (2011).

In 2004, Georg Riedel bought the German-based F.X. Nachtmann, which included both the Nachtmann decorative and wine glassware brand and the Spiegelau beer and wine glassware brand. The three brands (Riedel, Nachtmann, Spiegelau) operate under “Riedel Glass Works” as one of the largest producers of fine glass in Europe.[2]

Design Innovation Timeline

  • 1986: Developed the Vinum Series, the first varietal-specific glassware made by machine. The Vinum Series expanded on the mouthblown Sommeliers Series, Riedel Crystal’s first line of varietal-specific glassware, and provided an affordable glassware alternative to a growing segment of wine-drinkers in the United States, which increased by 12% between 1980 and 1990.[3]
  • 1989: Developed the Ouverture Series, positioned as the entry level varietal-specific glass for wine drinkers who appreciate good, reasonably priced wine.
  • 2000: Developed the Vinum Extreme Series, Riedel’s first collection of glasses designed specifically for New World wines.
  • 2007: Developed Tyrol, Riedel’s first varietal-specific glassware line with a stout, solid base. The collection was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Riedel family’s Kufstein factory located in the Tirol province of Austria.
  • 2011: Developed the Escargot decanter, whose shape was inspired by a snail and was designed to double-decant wine, a Riedel-developed technology that achieves hours of decanting in a matter of minutes.

Awards and Nominations

  • 1996: Decanter (magazine), Decanter Man of the Year, nomination [4]
  • 2006: Award of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
  • 2007: Award of Honour by the State of Tyrol
  • 2009: Wirtschaftsblatt daily newspaper Entrepreneur of the Year, nomination

Personal life

An avid runner, Riedel began running at age 30 and has completed 10 marathons and undertakes mountain hiking expeditions. Riedel has been married for 41 years to his wife, Eva. They met during his time as a student in Vienna and wed in 1973. They have two children, son Maximilian J Riedel and daughter Laetizia Riedel-Rothlisberger, and two grandsons.

References

  1. ^ [1], About Riedel Crystal.
  2. ^ [2], Press Release.
  3. ^ [3], UC Davis.
  4. ^ [4], Georg Riedel.
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