Wine glasses set upside down on tables in a dim restaurant

Guide · Glassware

The best wine glasses for every budget

Photo: Antonio Paez / Unsplash

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The right glass changes how a wine smells and feels more than most accessories ever will. You do not need a different glass for every grape. Most homes are best served by one good universal glass, and maybe a second shape for big reds.

At a glance

PickProductIn one line
Best universalGabriel-Glas StandArtOne glass for reds, whites and sparklingPrice →
Best splurgeZalto Denk'Art UniversalHand-blown, feather-light, the sommelier favoritePrice →
Best for everydayZwiesel Glas PureTough Tritan crystal that survives the dishwasherPrice →
Best valueSchott Zwiesel Mondial BurgundyWide bowl for Pinot Noir at a fair pricePrice →
Best stemlessRiedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/MerlotStemless shape from a classic glass makerPrice →
Best outdoorsBravario Unbreakable Tritan Wine GlassesPlastic you can drop on the patioPrice →

What matters: a bowl that narrows toward the top to hold aroma, a thin rim so the wine flows onto the tongue, and a stem so your hand does not warm the wine. Red glasses usually hold 12 to 16 oz (350 to 470 ml) and whites hold less. You only ever fill a glass about a third of the way.

Glass shapes at a glance

BordeauxCabernet, Merlot18–22 ozBurgundyPinot Noir, Nebbiolo20–25 ozUniversalAlmost everything14–18 ozWhiteSauvignon Blanc, Riesling11–13 ozFlute / tulipChampagne, Cava6–9 oz

Typical bowl sizes. You only fill a glass about one third of the way.

A wine glass on a bar with warm lights behind
Photo: Berni Wittmann / Unsplash

My picks

Style reference photo for Gabriel-Glas StandArtStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: Immo Wegmann / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best universal

Gabriel-Glas StandArt

Material
Lead-free crystal
Shape
Universal
Dishwasher
Yes

If you want to buy one glass and stop thinking about it, this is the one. The shape works for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir and even Champagne. It is light, elegant and goes in the dishwasher.

Watch outSpecialist glasses show slightly more on very big reds.

Style reference photo for Zalto Denk'Art UniversalStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: Aleksandr Popov / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best splurge

Zalto Denk'Art Universal

Material
Hand-blown crystal
Shape
Universal
Dishwasher
Gentle cycle, care needed

Zalto is what you see in many serious wine bars and restaurants. The glass is extremely thin and light, and wines feel more precise in it. It is the glass to buy if you love wine and want a real upgrade.

Watch outIt is fragile and expensive. Not for a busy kitchen or a party.

Style reference photo for Zwiesel Glas PureStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: Saman Taheri / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best for everyday

Zwiesel Glas Pure

Material
Tritan crystal
Made in
Germany
Dishwasher
Yes

Restaurants use German Tritan crystal because it resists breaking and stays clear after hundreds of washes. The Pure line has clean, modern shapes for red and white and gives you most of the quality of fine crystal without the worry.

Watch outBuy the shape that matches what you drink most, red or white.

Style reference photo for Schott Zwiesel Mondial BurgundyStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: Denis Sousa / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best value

Schott Zwiesel Mondial Burgundy

Material
Tritan crystal
Shape
Burgundy (wide bowl)
Dishwasher
Yes

The wide bowl gives aromatic reds like Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo room to show their aroma. It is one of the best-value restaurant-quality glasses you can buy in sets.

Watch outThe large bowl takes more cabinet space.

Style reference photo for Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/MerlotStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: Mathew Spolin / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best stemless

Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/Merlot

Material
Machine-made crystal
Shape
Stemless red
Dishwasher
Yes

Stemless glasses are stable, fit in any cabinet and feel relaxed. Riedel's O tumbler keeps a proper bowl shape, so a red still smells like it should.

Watch outYour hand warms the wine. Fine for reds, less ideal for chilled whites.

Style reference photo for Bravario Unbreakable Tritan Wine GlassesStyle referenceSee it on Amazon

Reference photo: engin akyurt / Unsplash. See the exact model on Amazon.

Best outdoors

Bravario Unbreakable Tritan Wine Glasses

Material
Tritan plastic
Best for
Pool, patio, picnics
Dishwasher
Yes

For the pool, the boat or a picnic, glass is a risk. These Tritan plastic glasses look like glass, keep a decent shape and survive a fall.

Watch outPlastic never feels as fine on the lip as glass or crystal.

A note from the floor

Serving temperature matters as much as the glass. At the restaurant I serve light whites and sparkling at 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C), full whites at 50 to 55°F (10 to 13°C), light reds at 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C) and full reds at 60 to 65°F (16 to 18°C). Most people serve reds too warm and whites too cold.

How to choose

Serving temperatures I use at the restaurant

Sparkling &light whitesFull whites& roséLight redsPinot, GamayFull redsCabernet, Syrah40°F4°C45°F7°C50°F10°C55°F13°C60°F16°C65°F18°Cwarmer →

Start with six universal glasses. If you drink a lot of red, add a set of Bordeaux or Burgundy shapes. Choose Tritan crystal if everything goes in the dishwasher, hand-blown if you wash by hand and want the best, and stemless or plastic for casual use.

Questions guests ask me

Do I really need different glasses for red and white?

No. A good universal glass handles both very well. Different shapes are a refinement, not a requirement.

Why do sommeliers hold the glass by the stem?

To keep fingerprints off the bowl and keep the hand from warming the wine. It also makes swirling easier.

What is the best way to wash fine wine glasses?

Warm water, very little soap, and dry with a microfiber cloth while holding the bowl, not twisting from the base. Soap residue kills bubbles in sparkling wine.

Written by Márcio

Wine gear chosen from real restaurant service, not from a spec sheet. About SommShelf.