A well-designed, elegant wine glass can significantly enhance your drinking experience. However, with an abundance of stemware options to choose from it can quickly feel overwhelming. The variety almost makes choosing the glass as complicated as picking the wine.
Whether you are a casual or serious wine drinker, the reviews and buyers guide below will help you make sense of the options.
1. Riedel Wine Series Pinot Noir Wine Glass, Set of 2
This set of 2 Pinot Noir Wine Glasses from Riedel are perfect for bringing a more decorative wine glass to the table. The detailing of the stem makes this glass stand out and makes these the best wine glasses for home entertaining.
These fine crystal wine glasses are beautiful, lightweight and are shaped to support the flavours of red wine. The glass is machine-blown and feels high-quality, the slightly larger stem also helps to give the glass an elegant but less fragile feel.
These glasses are perfect for appreciating the complexity of red wines and once you’re done, they can be put straight into the dishwasher.
What We Like:
- Great decorative option
- Fine crystal
- Dishwasher safe
What We Don’t Like:
- Only available as set of 2
2. Krosno Splendour Wine Glass 6pc
This gift-boxed set of wine glasses is a perfect option for formal use or everyday entertaining. The glasses are elegant and made from high-quality crystalline glass.
The 300ml size of the set makes them great for serving all types of wine. They are beautifully thin while remaining durable and resistant to tarnishing. The glasses can also be washed in the dishwasher for added convenience.
The stem is slim and narrowing making it easy and comfortable to hold. The shape and design of these glasses are perfect for wine tasting.
What We Like:
- Crystalline glass
- Elegant design
- Universal glass, great for everyday use
What We Don’t Like:
- No decorative detailing
3. Schott Zwiesel Vina Bordeaux/Claret Wine Glasses
These classic Bordeaux shape wine glasses are perfect for enjoying bold reds such as Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Savignon and Cabernet Franc. These glasses help to bring the best out of the wine and are great for everyday use.
These glasses are well-weighted and offer durability. The glass is made from Tritan crystal glassware which is shatter-resistant and dishwasher safe. The glasses also have Tritan Protect which offers twice the protection against breaking stems compared to conventional glasses.
An all-rounder red wine glass, this Schott Zwiesel Vina is perfect for getting the most out of your wine. The 6 pack is available for a great price too.
What We Like:
- Value for money
- Ideal for bold reds
- High-quality
What We Don’t Like:
- Stems are thicker and less elegant
4. Salt&Pepper Cuvee White Wine Glasses – Set Of 6
This set of 6 white wine glasses from Salt&Pepper Cuvee have a classic style that makes them great for special occasions or a perfect gift for loved ones.
They have a fine, seamless stem which displays finesse. The glasses are perfectly clear, a beautiful shape and a good size. They are also not too thin and feel sturdy.
Designed specifically to bring out the flavours in white wines, these are the perfect vessel for your favourite sauvignon blanc or chardonnay.
These glasses are 470ml so offer plenty of space. The simple, classic look of these glasses will compliment your next event beautifully.
What We Like:
- Classic style
- Seamless stem
- Great gift option
What We Don’t Like:
- Hand washing is recommended
5. Libbey Perception Lined Wine Glasses
This glass from Libbey is a popular universal glass that is suitable for red, white and rose and is perfect for bars and restaurants.
The capacity of these glasses is 325ml and there is a marked line at 150ml for precision when measuring smaller wines. This is what makes the glass such a versatile option, it is spacious enough for larger servings and allows you to perfectly measure smaller servings too. These glasses are great for restaurant services and for if you’re looking for a great all-rounder for a home dinner party or event.
The style of this glass is very classic so it never looks out of place. The rim and foot of this glass are strengthened to ensure sturdiness and stability.
What We Like:
- Can be used for all wines
- Has a marked line at 150ml
- Perfect for bars
What We Don’t Like:
- Only available as a set of 12
6. Riedel Extreme Cabernet Wine Glasses
If you’re looking for a wine glass with wide angles and plenty of room this Riedel glass is a perfect option. This glass is designed to enhance and emphasise the softness and fruity notes of full-bodied reds.
This glass is large in size so is best for complex reds as the additional space allows the bouquet to fully develop while also toning down the tannin. Smoothing those tough edges and emphasising the fruit gives the wine balance.
Designed to have extreme contours, the wide-angled bowl shines and looks beautiful. The stem is long, thin and comfortable to hold. These Riedel glasses are best for red wines that are high in tannin.
What We Like:
- Wide-angled for full-bodied red wine
- Designed to give complex wines balance
- Looks beautiful
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not provide the exact glass measurements
7. Libbey Stemless 12-Piece Wine Glass Set
These stemless wine glasses are versatile and easy to hold. They are best for casual everyday use and would also make a wonderful gift.
The design is modern and saves space in your cabinet. The red wine glass has a wide bowl and the white wine glass has a more slender profile to help enhance aromas and flavours. These glasses are stable, balanced and are comfortable to hold. The base is designed to prevent tipping.
While these glasses are ideal for wine, they are more versatile than stemmed glasses as these can also be used for serving water, cocktails and more. These glasses are lead-free and dishwasher safe for quick, convenient cleaning.
What We Like:
- Versatile
- Balanced and comfortable to hold
- Dishwasher safe
What We Don’t Like:
- Glass can quickly look dirty with fingerprints
Wine Glass Buyers Guide
Finding the perfect glass for your wine and dinner table can be a challenge when there are so many glass shapes, sizes and styles to choose from. Subtle differences in the glass can impact the flavour experience but this buyers guide will help make it easier to pick the best option for you.
Quality
The best wine glass should be crystal clear and smooth. There shouldn’t be any bends, warps or bubbles and the stems should be seamless.
Shape & Size
You can get good quality all-round glasses that have enough bowl space to let a red wine breathe and are also small enough to preserve the aroma of white wines. These are great if you don’t want to have multiple glasses in your house for rose, red and white wines. When choosing the shape and size of your glass it mostly comes down to what kind of wine you predominantly drink, personal taste and appearance. Wide bowls are best for reds while a narrower bowl is best for whites.
The thickness of the stem is often a key consideration too. Stems should be thin and elegant but of course, this can make them delicate. If someone in your family is a bit heavy-handed a thicker stem might be a better option. The rim of the glass should also be thin as this is the most comfortable for drinking and enjoying the wine.
RELATED: The Best Wine Fridge
Stemmed vs. Stemless
- Stemmed wine glasses are traditional and are more aesthetically pleasing than stemless options. They have an elegant feel and allow the wine to breathe. The stem length is also important to consider as the height varies and impacts the overall look of the glass. Stemmed glasses can be more fragile and are easier to knock over.
- Stemless wine glasses are a modern and stylish alternative. They are shorter meaning you can fit more in your cupboard so are great if you have limited storage. Stemless glasses are sturdier and are less likely to be knocked over. However, the glass temperature can be affected by your hands making them less suited to chilled wines. They also give less bowl space than stemmed options and can look greasy when in use as a result of fingerprints.
Materials
The two most common materials are:
- Soda-lime glass – this is a common choice for everyday use. It is relatively inexpensive and is usually dishwasher safe. The soda-lime glasses can be hand-blown or machine-made and can be patterned or coloured.
- Crystalline glass – crystal glasses are a high-quality option that gives incredible clarity and strength. They are lead-free and likened to crystal.
Cleaning and maintenance
It is best to find glasses that can be washed in the dishwasher. This is not only far more convenient but is also more gentle on your glass. Hand washing is more likely to cause breakages.
Wine Glass FAQs
A good wine glass is high-quality, elegant and enhances the type of wine you are drinking. The glass should be comfortable to hold and use and should elevate the aromas and flavours of the wine.
