![White wine glasses we recommend outlined in white and displayed on a pink background](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/S8IS-L7UglAfdC_h_T5mo2jt5RM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-white-wine-glasses-tout-7df3534281584e2a9f76d9ef84b205df.jpg)
Spruce Eats / Kevin Liang
Great wine merits great glassware, regardless of red, white, or bubbles. In order to guarantee the most pleasant drinking experience possible, seeking out a solid stem to drink from is a great place to start. Not sure where to begin? The pros have a few ideas. New York City-based sommelier Jeff Porter looks for structure and usability, without ever sacrificing quality. “When choosing a great wine glass, I look for form and function,” he says, particularly highlighting glassware that is light but durable and has an elegant, clean design. Porter also recommends seeking out options that do not take up too much room on the table, as well as won’t break with the slightest touch.
Michael Kennedy, founder of Vin Fraîche Wine Group, also puts design first. “I look for shape, size and rim—though most importantly, rim,” he says. “I want a glass that will allow me to roll the wine around with ease, without spilling, like I tend to do!” he says. Most importantly, Kennedy highlights looking for wine glasses with cut rims, as they tend to leave little resistance to sensing aroma. “Rolled rim glasses tend to act like an aroma speed bump,” he says. We took all of this advice into account during our research for the best white-wine glasses.
Best Overall
Zalto Denk'Art Collection White Wine Glass
Industry approved
Sophisticated feel in hand
Ultra-thin rim
Pricey
Long-standing collectors, connoisseurs, and industry folk alike will agree: when it comes to well-made glassware, Zalto is simply one of the best. “Producers spend a lot of time working the vines and working in the cellar to produce good wine. If you can, respect the wine with a good glass that appeals to you and your taste,” says Porter.
Handcrafted from lead-free crystal in lower Austria, these luxurious stems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, perfect for pairing with an equally robust variety of grapes—but we’ll let you in on a secret: these Denk’Art White Wine glasses are some of the most versatile of the bunch.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 13.5 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Budget
Viski Crystal Chardonnay Glasses
Versatile shape
Shape concentrates aromas well
Dishwasher safe
Thick stem
Not suitable for oaked or fuller whites
While this set is aimed at chardonnay drinkers, the shape is surprisingly all-purpose—use it for mineral and light reds or keep the glasses for its initial intention: chardonnay. (This means you can keep these glasses for transitioning your wine through a coursed meal.) The mouth of the glass is narrow to concentrate the aromas on to the nose and the liquid onto the desired area of the palate. The stem is long and thin enough to feel elegant in your hand, but thick enough to survive being placed in the dishwasher.
At around $10 a stem, they’re a smart option for everyday glasses. That said, the price reflects the quality. The stem is a bit thick and we did note that this is more of a universal glass than a chardonnay-specific glass. For more opulent or oaked white wines, we find a larger bowl is needed to allow the intense aromas develop. This glass, though, is more suited to wines with more minerality on the nose—think an unoaked chardonnay, a viognier, or a riesling.
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 15 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
![Viski Chardonnay glass with white wine inside, on a black table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/TRpw6M4GxTTGiJ2eeB3LnvRtRQg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-product-viski-chardonnay-glass-kate-dingwall-1-a47de390fa104cafb438eee1b2e5fe86.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Kate Dingwall
Best Versatile
Zwiesel Glas Verbelle Wine Glasses
Multiple in set
Great with red and white wine
Affordable set of 6
Stems not as thin as other options
The Schott Zwiesel name, mentioned above, is one of the most famous in the glassware game. Located in Germany, this 147-year-old enterprise has been creating world-class stemware for nearly a century and a half, with quality and craftsmanship always placed first. This versatile six-pack of stems is great to use with both red and white wines alike, and at the sub-$100 price point, each glass clocks in at around just $16 per stem.
For Kennedy, excellent glassware—especially with excellent wine—is non-negotiable. “Great stemware should be included when drinking great wine,'' he says. “A great glass will magnify the aroma experience, which can be good or bad—if the wine is great, it shows more of that; if the wine isn’t great, well, unfortunately, it shows more of that.”
Material: Tritan Crystal Glass | Capacity: 16.5 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Set
Elixir Glassware Wine Glasses
Unique design
Long stems
Budget friendly
Fragile
The only thing better than an elegant wine glass? A set of four elegant stems. After searching far and wide, we’ve found Elixir’s four-pack set to be one of the best quality-to-price ratio options on the market. Crafted with optimally-sized bowls and long, slender stems, these white wine glasses are perfect for enjoying a variety of white wines, from sauvignon blanc to chardonnay and beyond.
Elixir uses only lead-free crystal, and prior to market release, tempers each glass to ensure that durability and craftsmanship surpass the company’s standards. All Elixir glasses are hand-blown and created using traditional methods, including carefully cutting rims and polishing to ensure a beautiful, long-lasting product.
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 18 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Design
Nude White Wine Glass
Sleek design
Elegant in hand
Accentuates aroma
Pricey
It’s true—Nude glass stems cost a pretty penny, but at the end of the day, they’re one of the best-designed glasses on the market. Handcrafted in Turkey, this lead-free crystal glass is crafted with an ultra-thin, narrow rim, which will accentuate aromatic intensity while sitting elegantly on the lips.
Porter explains that glassware can affect the aromas of wine and the serviceability of wine, particularly in a restaurant setting. “Too small, and the wine does not have enough room to breathe (like a mini-decanter), too big, and it looks like there is no wine in the glass,” he says. Moral of the story? Size and design is key.
Material: Lead-free Crystal | Capacity: 15.25 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Gift
Rovsya White Wine Glasses
Crystal
Long stems
Set of four
Budget friendly
Potentially hard to store (long stems)
For a uniquely designed glass that won’t set you back too much (and also makes for a perfect gift), look no further than these long stems from Rovysa. Produced from lead-free crystal, these versatile stems offer a luxurious feel in hand, while promising to bring out the best of a variety of different white wines.
Kennedy explains that regardless of glass style—white wine specific, red wine specific, fishbowl, etc—so long as the glass is thinner at the opening than the widest part of the bowl, you’re on the right track. “I also prefer crystal so as to allow those micro-ridges to pop out particles that evaporate and add to the aromatic intensity,” he says.
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 15 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Stemless
Riedel Viognier/Chardonnay O Wine Tumbler
Respected brand
Set of two
Thin rim
Not as elegant as those with stems
For a stemless set that can go the limits, check out this-two pack of tumblers from Riedel. Based in Germany, this globally-renowned brand has been producing high-quality glassware since 1756. Now on its 11th generation of glassblowers, Riedel still puts quality and design before all else, both with stemmed and stemless glassware.
Introduced in 2004, the Riedel O Tumbler line was designed to bring an innovative take on stemless glassware, centered around the brand’s Vinum series of glasses. Although the set specifies viognier and chardonnay, we find that these versatile tumblers are perfect for enjoying a variety of wines—rosés and reds included!
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 11.8 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Final Verdict
For a luxury glassware experience that will deliver on quality, style, and design you can't go wrong with the Zalto Denk'Art White Wine Glass. Viski Reserve Inez Crystal Chardonnay Glass is our budget-friendly option that is surprisingly elegant and refined for a cost that is less than $9 a stem.
![Villeroy & Boch NewMoon White Wine Glass on a wood table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/lgw3WsleXWtISsJNzrooPnifBqc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-primary-white-wine-glasses-kate-dingwall-1-2c78a5183a4d493e9a4e6c42a07054a5.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Kate Dingwall
Other Options We Tested
- Villeroy & Boch NewMoon White Wine Glass: If you want a glass on your table that makes a statement, you can certainly expect that from Villeroy & Boch’s NewMoon wine glasses. Instead of being perfectly symmetrical, the glassware brand opts for a striking off-center lip inspired by the asymmetrical crescent-shape of the moon. We loved the profile of these glasses when set up on a dinner table as it added a bit of whimsy and fun. But we found some drinkers may find the unusual lip a nuisance. If you pick up the glass from the wrong side, the wine can pour not into your mouth, but onto your lap or couch. While aesthetically these are fun, the functional form of the glass isn’t fully thought-out.
What to Look for in White Wine Glasses
Material
When seeking out great glassware—whether red or white—look for those with a sturdy design made from high-quality material. Many wine glasses are made from glass, crystal, or Tritan. Crystal is the priciest, can be made with very thin rims, and comes as leaded or lead-free. The lead doesn't pose any danger, but will need to be hand-washed, while lead-free crystal is more durable. Glass glasses will be even more durable, tend to be thicker, and are nonporous. Tritan is a type of plastic that won't cloud and is made without bisphenol compounds. We recommend it for outdoor drinks and any time you don't completely trust your guests with the expensive glassware.
Shape
Glasses made specifically for white wine tend to be more tulip-shaped than bulbous red-wine glasses. This is for a few reasons. First, it funnels an unoaked or aromatic white wine's more delicate notes to the opening, so you can capture the entire nose. Also, since white wine doesn't traditionally benefit from aeration there's less need for a lot of air exposure. The smaller surface can additionally help the wine stay chilled for a little longer so you'll have enough time to appreciate it.
For oaked or fuller white wines, you might want to go with a universal glass or even a small red-wine glass. Those wines can benefit from the wider surface area and the rich aromas can be overwhelming with smaller openings.
FAQs
Are wine glass stems different for white wine glasses versus red wine glasses?
Generally speaking, the stems of white wine glasses and red wine glasses are usually the same; on the other hand, the bowls of red wine glasses are often larger than those of white wine glasses.
What are the main differences between white wine glasses and red wine glasses?
Overall, the stems, material, and rim thickness of white wine glasses and red wine glasses are usually the same. However, the bowls of red wine glasses are often larger than those of white wine glasses, as more air is usually required to allow red wine to breathe.
How do you clean/care for wine glasses?
Although most glasses claim to be dishwasher safe, we recommend cleaning and polishing all stemware by hand. Stick with unscented soap and use your hands (as sponges or rags can scratch glassware) to carefully wash the inside of the bowl and the rim of the glass.
Should you chill a glass before serving white wine in it?
While white wines are generally best enjoyed chilled, we recommend chilling the wine over the glass.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Vicki Denig is a wine, spirits, and travel journalist based between New York and Paris. Her writing regularly appears in major industry publications, including Liquor.com, WineSearcher, Decanter, and beyond. Vicki also works with a prestigious rolodex of monthly clients, including Paris Wine Company, Becky Wasserman & Co, Corkbuzz, Provignage, and beyond. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine. When not writing, Vicki enjoys indoor cycling classes and scoping out dogs to pet in her local parks.