Lenox, the Bristol supplier of tableware, has partnered with a renown sommelier to produce a line of stemware. The initiative unites the esteemed brand with Victoria James, who, at one time was the youngest wine steward in the U.S. at age 21.

She is now partner and Director of Beverage for the COTE restaurant chain, a multi-star honoree of France’s esteemed Michelin Guides.

Her input is intended to encourage consumers to pair wine glasses with the geographic origins of the wines they pour in them. Vintages of cooler climates, Lenox says, yield moderate richness and alcohol levels that call for narrower bowls in stemware. Conversely, warmed climates call for wider bowls to allow the wines to “expand and open.”

In commenting on the collaboration, James said, “The world of wine can be daunting. I remember when I first entered the space I felt like a deer in the headlights.

“I wanted to design glasses that weren’t fussy or snobby,” she continued, “but that made the drinker feel confident, while simultaneously making the wine taste better. To me, that’s the best of both worlds.”

Bob Burbank, Lenox CEO, said, “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Victoria to create this unique line of wine glasses, which perfectly embodies our shared desires to simplify and elevate the consumers’ experiences.”