RIVERET - A sake vessel made for wine – RIVERET | agney* | taffeta 公式ブランドサイト～天然素材のデザイン食器～

A sake cup made for wine

It conveys the unique flavor of RIVERET that can only be expressed because it is made of natural bamboo rather than glass.

We want to enjoy the taste of wine at home, just like we do at restaurants and bars. With this in mind, since the brand's founding, RIVERET has been researching "tableware for wine" from a unique perspective that will bring out the unique characteristics of various wines.

To begin with, wine glasses are mainly made of glass, and the reality is that materials other than glass are not suitable for the delicate nature of wine, which is easily affected by the vessel. However, we thought that there must be a taste that can only be expressed with the natural material "bamboo", and created vessels for wine using RIVERET's unique design and technology.

First, the advantage of tableware made from bamboo, a natural material, is its low thermal conductivity. Unlike trees, bamboo has the same straw-like tubes called conduits as grass and leaves, which are formed into straight bundles and act as an insulator.

When you look at a cross section of bamboo, you can see that it is composed of countless straw-like vessels. The tiny spaces contained within these vessels create layers of air that increase the warmth inside, just like a down jacket.

In other words, compared to glass or ceramic, the temperature of the vessel itself is stable, and the wine poured into it is less affected by the outside temperature. This means that the wine's original flavor is not affected, and it can be kept in optimal condition for a longer period of time.

Wine Containers

As the name suggests, this is a wine vessel that was born from the first attempt at RIVERET's launch. It was deliberately named VESSEL (vessel, container) to convey that it is a vessel made from natural materials, rather than glass (made of glass). The flowing, supple silhouette is a unique design that is characteristic of RIVERET. The source of RIVERET's technological development lies in this item.

To fully enjoy Burgundy wine, which has a clean acidity and rich aroma, it is important that the wine flows smoothly down the throat while suppressing excess acidity. The rim (opening) narrows as it goes up from the wide bowl (bottom). When drinking, the chin needs to be tilted relatively, which allows the wine to avoid the outer part of the tongue, which senses acidity, and naturally flow lightly through the center of the tongue. The greatest feature of this silhouette is that it suppresses excess acidity and preserves the aroma.

The Bordeaux type is also known as the tulip shape. This shape allows the aroma to come out easily and the wine to spread horizontally on the tongue, softening the astringency of the tannins. This is a versatile type that allows you to enjoy a balanced range of wines, including Bordeaux. If you are unsure of which wine glass to use, we recommend that you start with this type.

The sherry vessel's silhouette is suited to a wide variety of sherry wines. For example, with dry sherry wines, the sharp attack is enhanced with mellowness and depth, creating a more lingering impression. With gentle, sweet sherry wines, the gentleness and mellowness remain the same, but the flavor and taste are concentrated, highlighting the moderate astringency and aroma of the tannins.

This item is suitable for sparkling wine, champagne, and sour-style cocktails. The soft curves of the design convey an elegant and gentle feel. For sparkling alcoholic beverages, the natural material creates delicate, fine bubbles that glass or ceramics cannot provide, and the glass conveys a smooth taste.

When you want to enjoy wine casually, we recommend a goblet with an easy-to-handle shape. It features a wide base with a sense of stability and a large mouth. It is easy to use for water, soft drinks, beer, etc., and is a convenient item to have. Please enjoy the taste that can only be expressed because of the gentle mouthfeel created by handcrafting.

The most obvious difference is the "mouthfeel." With glass or ceramic, the coldness or hardness is easily conveyed when it touches the mouth. However, with natural materials, there is less stimulation from temperature changes such as extreme cold or heat, and the impression is softer. Furthermore, the craftsmanship of RIVERET's artisans, who were able to create a shape with a minimum thickness of just 2mm, is designed to ensure that despite being made of natural materials, the glass does not feel heavy or bulky, and does not interfere with the taste.

The impression of a taste is influenced to some extent by sight and touch. Glass and natural materials have big differences in color and atmosphere, as well as in the "hardness, texture, and warmth" they feel when they touch your mouth or hand. Sensory aspects such as warmth and softness are also important elements of "flavor."

We asked Chef Seko of the Italian restaurant "Waina" about his impressions of RIVERET bamboo glasses. He told us about the excellent flavor that can only be achieved with RIVERET glasses made from natural materials.

In the case of a mild-tasting Merlot, the flavor and taste are concentrated while maintaining the gentleness and mellowness, and the moderate astringency of the tannins and the original aroma of Merlot are highlighted. Even with Rosso di Montalcino, the sharpness is mellowed out, the flavor stands out, and the aftertaste fades away smoothly. Decanting (swirling the glass to let air in) seems to be done naturally in the glass, so it seems that the wine is already in a delicious state as soon as it is uncorked and poured. It can be said that this glass is very suitable for wine.

Impression that afterimages are easily left behind

In the case of a fruity, dry Chardonnay, the sharp attack is given a mellowness and depth, giving the impression of a more lingering aftertaste. The mouthfeel becomes gentler, the bitterness is reduced, and the taste becomes mellow. Acidity is very important for Chardonnay, but this wine is mellow yet retains a strong acidity and has body. This wine also gives the impression of mixing with the air just right, even without decanting. The aroma is strong, and the taste is well-rounded in a good way.

Sparkling wine has fine bubbles, a mellow taste, and a gentle, gentle sensation on the palate. Even after the gas has subsided to some extent after two sips, the gas is still felt firmly and the creaminess increases. The mouthfeel is gently enveloped in bubbles, and the aroma seems to spread firmly. The characteristics of sparkling wines stand out even more when you drink them from a chilled bamboo glass.

For more information on "Waina," the natural Italian restaurant run by Chef Seko, click here

We asked Mr. Kajita of "Japan Custom-Made Project," which sources wine directly from Italy, about his impressions of RIVERET bamboo glasses. He shared his honest opinions on RIVERET natural glassware.

Unlike glass, you cannot see the color of the wine from the side, but you can clearly see the difference in color between grape varieties in a bamboo glass. Glass may be better for people who like the strong bubbles of sparkling wines. However, the gas settles quickly after pouring and the gentle bubbles are sustained, making it easy to see the spread of the aroma. The feel on the tongue is a very important element for taste. The gentle texture of the natural material makes it smooth on the tongue, giving it a mellow taste. With glass, the hardness and coldness of the tongue can sometimes interfere with the taste, so depending on the situation and the wine you choose, a bamboo glass can greatly enhance the flavor.

Of course, this is just one opinion, and drinking wine from tableware other than glass may be an area where preferences are greatly divided. By learning to use glass and natural materials depending on the occasion, we hope to broaden the range of wine tastes.