A thank you to the sponsors of the DWWA 2013

The DWWA would like to kindly thank the official sponsors of the 2013 competition, and their continued support of the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Riedel

This year Riedel Crystal celebrates the 40th anniversary of its groundbreaking Sommeliers Series with a limited edition of six varietal-specific Sommeliers Series glasses in striking black crystal. For the first time in its 300-year history, Riedel will offer six mouth-blown varietal specific Sommeliers designs in all black: Bordeaux Grand Cru (Cabernet Sauvignon), Burgundy Grand Cru (Pinot Noir), Champagne, Riesling Grand Cru, Montrachet (Chardonnay) and Vintage Port. Riedel achieves the black crystal by the introduction of manganese oxide to the molten glass used for standard Sommeliers Glasses, which, when heated, produces a visually striking, opaque deep black. Two additional limited editions of this series offer the black glasses with electric-red stems or clear bowls with red stems and black bases.

The three collections are sold nationwide, and via www.riedel.co.uk in elegant “40th Anniversary” tube packaging bearing the portrait of Claus J. Riedel (9th generation), who introduced the Sommeliers Series to the world in 1973.

Since its introduction in 1973, Riedel’s Sommeliers series has been lauded as a triumph of design for its thin-blown, unadorned iconography and pioneering functionality proving that the shape and size of glassware affect how we perceive the taste and smell of individual grape varietals. In reducing the design to its essence of bowl, stem and base, Claus Riedel channeled the Bauhaus principle, transforming not only the glassware industry, but the wine culture through its focus on functionality, simplicity and luxury. To this day, every Sommeliers Series glass is mouth-blown and hand-formed.

Belu

Belu is a pioneering social enterprise that produces the UK’s most ethical water brand. Our crystal clear, natural mineral water is UK produced and available in both still and sparkling. All our bottles are made here in the UK using the highest possible percentage of recycled materials and we’re the UK’s first bottled water to be 100% carbon neutral.

We are the exclusive bottled water partner of leading clean water charity WaterAid, giving them all of our profits. To date we have given £365,758 which will transform the lives of over 24,000 people in some of the world’s poorest communities by providing access to clean water and safe sanitation. We have now extending our partnership with WaterAid and pledged to give £1 million by 2020.

For more information please visit www.belu.org

Written by Emma Salter