The release has been two years in the making, after Riedel Glass Company chief executive Georg J. Riedel and the Central Otago Winegrowers Association held a sensory workshop to test what would be the best glass to showcase the wine.
Pinot was a favoured variety of Mr Riedel and he had long held a desire to ensure there was a perfect glass in the portfolio for every pinot noir-growing region.
Felton Road, Mt Difficulty, Peregrine, Rippon, Akarua, Carrick, Quartz Reef, Maude, Mt Edward, Amisfield and Rockburn wineries took part.
Following rounds of elimination, two glasses stood out above the others: the Vinum XL Pinot Noir and the Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir.
The new glass, released by Mr Riedel at a sensory workshop in Auckland yesterday, incorporates the best features from these two glasses, to elevate the drinker's experience and enjoyment.
''This newly shaped glass has been fine-tuned to highlight the distinctive flavour profile of this young wine-growing region,'' he said.
Unique among other pinot noir glasses in the Riedel portfolio, the Central Otago glass accentuates the aroma and taste of the region's typical fruit-forward and intense mineral style.
Central Otago Winegrowers Association spokesman Rudi Bauer said local winemakers were excited about taking yet another step forward.
''With the vision and endorsement from Riedel ... jointly creating the perfect glass to enjoy Central Otago pinot noir is an important milestone in the development and reputation of our spectacular region.''
• The new Central Otago pinot noir glass is being released as part of Riedel's Heart to Heart range, at $64.95 from May.
Riedel Crystal
• Established 1756
• Has been producing glass in Europe for 11 generations
• Family owned and operated by Georg J. Riedel (10th generation) and Maximilian J. Riedel (11th generation).
• Recognised worldwide for designing and producing the highest quality glasses
• 1950s: Claus J. Riedel was the first person to introduce thin-blown stemware to suit wine
• 1961: a revolutionary concept was introduced; the first line of wineglasses created in different sizes and shapes was released
Why shape matters
• One glass is not ideal for all styles of wine
• Has to translate the ''message'' of wine to the human senses.
• A wine's bouquet, taste, balance and finish are all affected by the shape of the glass it's consumed from.
Grape varietals carry in their DNA unmistakable flavour profiles, which adds to the importance of selecting the appropriate glass.
