Riedel Crystal Lets You Toast With Elegance by Maggie Reed on Creators.com

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Riedel Crystal Lets You Toast With Elegance

They say opposites attract, and in this case, it's wine glasses. Riedel Crystal has two unique glassware lines that feature the everyday elegance of their Tyrol collection and the height of pleasure with their Vitis line.

The Tyrol collection is named for the Tyrol province in Austria where the Riedel factory is located; it recalls the romance and stark beauty of that mountainous region. Designed by Georg Riedel (10th generation), the Tyrol collection was used to toast the 50th anniversary of the family's Kufstein factory.

Created with solid, gently sloping bases reminiscent of sparkling ice-capped Alpine peaks, Tyrol offers casual elegance.

The lead crystal Tyrol collection features bowl shapes. The solid foot affects the weight of the glasses, providing them with satisfying heft and a brilliantly clear base that could double as a magnifying glass. Light captured within the base reflects through the bowl, illuminating the wine within and providing an eye-catching optical element.

The Tyrol series includes five glasses for wine (Cabernet, Viognier/Chardonnay, Riesling/Sauvignon blanc, Syrah and Montrachet) as well as a rocks glass. Tyrol goes beyond wine with this line, offering Riedel's first-ever soda pop and dessert glass. Each glass retails for $20.

Riedel's Vitis series takes elegance to new heights. The tallest machine-blown Riedel collection to date, Vitis has a towering profile and graceful silhouette that adds a sophisticated elegance to any affair.

Vitis, the Latin word for vine, climbs skyward on a seamlessly pulled stem. This technique draws the base of the bowl into the very top of the stem, indenting the bottom of the bowl. When wine is poured into the glass, this triangular space is filled, adding another point of interest to the glass.

The sides of the Vitis bowls flare dramatically outward before narrowing toward the rim, maximizing the surface to air space and allowing the wines to aerate within the glass.

The Vitis collection includes Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Champagne, Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah/Shiraz, Montrachet and Martini glasses.

Each glass retails for $35.

To find out more about these glasses and other items offered by Riedel, visit www.riedel.com.

FRESHVAC

Keep foods fresher up to 40 percent longer with freshvac vacuum food storage containers. This means your fruit, veggies, leftovers and snacks will stay fresh all week or longer. With freshvac, you can save money by buying in bulk and not having your food spoil.

Freshvac offers a number of lines:

-- Professional: A durable, shatter resistant line that contains the freshvac lid, which is perfect for the on-the-go family.

Features include:

-- Forms an airtight, vacuum seal without the use of pumps, bags or electricity. Simply push down on the lid to form a seal.

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-- Vacuum indicator includes a date setting to easily determine when food was stored.

-- Dishwasher and freezer safe.

-- Snap down handles lock the lid in place.

-- Lifetime warranty.

Kits and individual sizes are available. Kits range from $30 to $50 and individual pieces are $10 to $20.

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The insulated and reusable bags are great for carrying pet supplies. With space for food, treats, toys, leashes and grooming tools, you will always be organized. The bags are made of lead-free, vinyl-free and water-resistant polyester with flexible, adjustable nylon handles. Bags are available in small and large sizes, two colors and three patterns.

Each Petpac includes two containers for food and treats as well as two dishes for water and eating. Freshness is preserved and smells are contained. For more information, call 952-836-2311 or visit www.freshvac.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed and other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.