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The glass favored by Prof. Lecter

In the movie "Hannibal" Prof. Lecter keenly chooses to use "Riedel".
Hannibal is the sequel to the Academy Award winning "Silence of the Lambs".

There is a scene in the movie (in the latter half) where the characters played by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Julian Moore (who replaced Jody Foster as Clarisse for the sequel) and another choice guest sit down to enjoy one of Lecter's favorite delicacies along with fine wine dispensed in none other than Riedel's own stemware. (Since the maker's name was not mentioned in the scene nor in the the credits, it is possible that a different glass was used)

There is no scene in the movie of the purchase of Riedel glasses, but in "Hannibal," the final chapter of the Lecter series (New Wave Publishing House {jp}), with little doubt, from the way his nose enters the glass there is sufficient evidence that two sizes of Riedel glasses were purchased.

Now let's try to figure out which two types of Riedel stemware Prof. Lecter selected for 'hedonistic purposes.'

First of all since Prof. Lecter purchased 'Gien fine china plates' and 'Christofle 19th century golden flatware', it would not be far-fetched at all to believe that he selected Riedel's highest quality series (sommelier) would it.
In the aforementioned scene Lecter "inhales the bouquet of the nearly unrivaled wine," and then after that the professor mentions to Clarisse, "Smell this fine white Bourgogne."
Of the sommeliers series there one glass to best appreciate this wine, 400/7 (Bougogne/Montrachet), so if indeed they are Riedel glasses, it is clear one would be this model.

The problem is the other glass! Due to this difficulty and the fact that there were no hints presented in the scene, we'll simply have to guess.
What are Lecter's hobbies? What did he live for? What sort of aesthetic appealed to him? From the fact that he eats human flesh, it can only be surmised that he enjoys a thick, bloody flavor. The closest wine to that would be have to be a mature vintage.
But is blood a delicacy that should be enjoyed particularly fresh? If it is, it needs to be appreciated in a glass made for young wines.
So then the glass that can unfold and unravel all the aromas and various levels of bouquet of both mature and young wines needed to appreciate the long, soft reverberations and strengthen the silky smooth sensation on the tongue would have to be 400/00 (Bordeaux Gran Cru).
(However, this is just a guess because obviously there has been no official research into this)


I am sorry, but questions or opinions regarding any of the above mentioned guesses will not be replied to because as it has been stated these are not based on any facts other than what can be assumed from viewing the movie (which is quite scary and not reccomended for the faint hearted).

P.S.: Below is a comment from Riedel Co. Japan.
It is too bad that Riedel glass was not alluded to in the movie. Even in magazines the glass that Prof. Lecter used was not mentioned, and despite inquiries even Riedel Co. itself is not sure, but 400/00, 400/7, 400/55 are strong possibilities. At the end when they are talking about eating the human brain, the glass from which he is drinking Chateau d'Yquem is believed to be 400/55 but one can only assume.

*Riedel glasses shown on TV.

In a commercial for "Maru cha" (a Coca Cola product) you can see Oda Yuji pouring the tea and looking at the color in the glass. The size and particular shape is an exact likeness to Riedel's sommelier series Bourgogne Gran Cru glass!

P.S.: Riedel Co. Japan just confirmed with Coca Cola Co. that the glass was none other than the 400/16 Bourgogne Gran Cru glass.



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