Universal Limited-Edition Wine-Tasting Glass for L’Atelier du Vin’s Centenary

A limited edition celebrating 100 years of the Art of Enjoying Wine

Since 1926, L’Atelier du Vin has imagined and designed objects to accompany wine lovers as they discover and celebrate wine. The Exploreur 655 Centenary Edition marks this exceptional milestone.

To mark its centenary, the Maison pays tribute to this history with a limited edition of one of its most emblematic wine glasses.

L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line | Centenary Edition brings together the elements that have defined L’Atelier du Vin for a century: care given to each gesture, the pursuit of a more precise tasting experience, the dialogue between design and use, and the desire to create objects made to stand the test of time.

This anniversary edition does not alter the function of the glass. Instead, it reveals its essence by highlighting, with a gold line, the Nervure des Arômes® at the heart of the wine-tasting experience.

100 numbered gift boxes to celebrate the centenary

This anniversary edition is strictly limited to 100 gift boxes, representing 200 individually numbered wine glasses.

Each glass bears an individual number on its base, from 1/200 to 200/200. This marking identifies each piece and confirms its place within the Centenary Edition.

The numbering is more than a decorative detail. It places each wine glass within a defined series created to mark a unique moment in the history of the Maison.

Two glasses may share the same shape and the same wine-tasting qualities, but each carries its own number. Every glass is therefore a distinct piece, designed to be used, given as a gift or kept as a collector’s item.

A hand-applied gold line

The Nervure des Arômes® is usually discreetly integrated into the bowl of the glass.

For this Centenary Edition, its line is highlighted on the outside of the glass with a hand-applied gold-coloured brushstroke.

The gesture follows the curve of the rib and draws the eye towards the innovation that defines L’Exploreur® – Aroma Line. The gold finish does not alter the way the glass works: it visually reveals the line that accompanies the movement of the wine.

Because this detail is applied by hand, the line may show slight variations from one glass to another. These natural differences bear witness to the artisan’s touch and contribute to the unique character of each piece.

Far removed from uniform or mechanical decoration, this finish gives the object a distinctive, tactile presence. It is a reminder that L’Atelier du Vin’s centenary celebrates both innovation and the craftsmanship that brings it to life.

L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line reinterpreted for the centenary

Beneath its distinctive finish, this edition retains all the characteristics of L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line.

Its slender silhouette, generous volume, exceptionally fine bowl and Nervure des Arômes® remain unchanged. The glass therefore offers the same precision in wine tasting as the original model.

The difference is deliberately focused on two distinctive details:

• the Nervure des Arômes® highlighted by hand with a gold line on the outside of the glass;
• the individual numbering of each glass within a limited series of 200 pieces.

This continuity allows the Centenary Edition to retain the full function of the original wine glass while adding another dimension: that of a commemorative and collectable object.

A patented innovation designed to reveal wine aromas

At the heart of L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line lies the Nervure des Arômes®, a patented French invention by L’Atelier du Vin.

Integrated into the bowl, this rib is dotted with microscopic glass beads. When the wine is swirled, they encourage controlled agitation and increase interaction between the wine and the air.

Aromatic molecules are then released with greater intensity. The most prominent notes gain precision, while more subtle nuances can gradually emerge.

The Nervure des Arômes® does not transform the wine. It works with its natural movement inside the glass to make the bouquet easier to perceive and understand.

The result of several years of research combining wine expertise, design and glassmaking craftsmanship, this invention gives L’Exploreur® – Aroma Line a distinctive place in the world of wine tasting.

For this Centenary Edition, the gold line makes this innovative feature immediately visible, whereas it is usually far more discreet.

Inspired by a natural phenomenon

Why does sea spray release such an intense scent when waves break against rocks?

The impact breaks the water into countless microscopic droplets. This dispersion encourages aromatic molecules to be released into the air, intensifying their perception.

This physical phenomenon inspired the Nervure des Arômes®.

By accompanying the rotation of the wine and increasing interactions inside the glass, the rib contributes to a more intense diffusion of aromatic compounds.

The innovation remains entirely at the service of the wine. Its purpose is not to impose an effect, but to help the taster perceive more clearly what the wine already contains.

How to use the L’Exploreur® 655 wine-tasting glass

L’Exploreur® 655 invites you to rediscover two essential stages in the olfactory analysis of wine: the first nose and the second nose.

First nose

Bring the glass to your nose without swirling the wine.

This first observation allows you to perceive the most volatile aromas, which naturally express themselves as soon as the wine is served. At this stage, the bouquet remains relatively restrained, without any particular intervention from the taster.

Take time to identify your first impressions: freshness, fruit, floral notes, spices, vegetal or mineral notes depending on the wine you are tasting.

Second nose

Then swirl the wine with a broad, gentle movement.

As the wine comes into contact with the Nervure des Arômes®, swirling encourages greater interaction with the air. The bouquet opens up, gains depth and reveals new nuances.

Aromas you have already identified may become more precise, while subtler notes gradually reveal themselves.

Moving from the first to the second nose allows you to observe the wine’s immediate evolution and gain a more detailed understanding of its aromatic structure.

A universal wine glass for red, white and rosé wines

L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line was designed as a universal wine-tasting glass.

Its generous 655 ml capacity gives the wine the space it needs to breathe, while the shape of the bowl concentrates the aromas towards the nose.

It can be used to enjoy a wide variety of still wines:

• red wines;
• white wines;
• rosé wines.

This versatility makes it possible to use the same wine glass throughout a tasting, without multiplying the number of shapes specific to each grape variety or appellation.

Its exceptional thinness also minimises the sensation of the glass on the lips. The object becomes discreet, allowing the wine to take centre stage.
Whether used for professional wine tasting, dinner or a shared moment, L’Exploreur® 655 offers a balance of aromatic precision, elegance and simplicity of use.

Explore the Art of Wine Tasting

Understanding a wine means observing its aromas, its evolution, its texture and its balance.

L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line | Centenary Edition accompanies this discovery by encouraging a more precise reading of the bouquet.

To take your understanding further, discover L’Atelier du Vin’s advice dedicated to the art of wine tasting, then explore the main aromatic families through the Guide to Wine Aromas.

The glass then becomes more than a vessel: it becomes part of the ritual, guides your attention and helps you better understand what the wine expresses.

Two European traditions of craftsmanship come together

L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line is the result of a collaboration between L’Atelier du Vin and Stölzle Lausitz.

L’Atelier du Vin designs the glass, its shape and the use of the Nervure des Arômes®. Stölzle Lausitz brings its glassmaking expertise to the production of each piece in Germany.

This combination of French innovation and German glassmaking expertise gives rise to a wine glass that is precise, lightweight and beautifully balanced.

The Centenary Edition adds another hand-finished detail to this collaboration: the application of the gold line on the outside of the glass, following the Nervure des Arômes®.

The glass therefore brings together several complementary dimensions:

• oenological research;
• object design;
• glassmaking expertise;
• hand-finishing;
• the memory of the centenary.

A centenary piece designed to stand the test of time

This limited edition celebrates 100 years of creation without moving L’Exploreur® 655 – Aroma Line away from its primary purpose: serving wine and revealing its aromas.

The glass remains fully intended for wine tasting. Its rarity, individual numbering and hand-applied finish nevertheless give it a distinctive value.

It can be chosen as a collector’s piece, as a gift for a wine lover or as a symbolic object marking the centenary of L’Atelier du Vin.

Each glass tells the same story, yet carries its own number and the unique trace of a hand-applied finish.
Limited to 200 pieces, this creation brings together function, innovation, craftsmanship and heritage in a single object.

Frequently Asked Questions