![Best wine glasses displayed on a table next to a wine bottle and charcuterie platter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Rgwwk93JSm3P7keApyOIXzeu4gM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-primary-glassware-rkilgore-1208-d69a6558bbd04ec1a9222d38a784b425.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
There are glasses for every type of wine, for indoor and outdoor use, with and without stems, the list goes on. So, how are you supposed to know which glass is the best one for you?
No matter if you’re new to the wine game or a seasoned drinker looking to step up your glass collection, we've got the lowdown on everything from high-end splurges to special crystal technology in all shapes, sizes, and materials. We swirled and tasted red, white, and sparkling wines in over 20 top-rated wine glasses, to determine which tested the best.
Best Overall
Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses
Allows subtle aromatics to be expressed
Great set for a new collector
Appropriately sized for red or white
A tiny bit bottom-heavy
The Austrians know wine glasses, and this handsome set from Gabriel-Glas is living proof. Crafted in a classic and universal style, these well-apportioned stems will lend a striking and inviting air to your next classy gathering.
With its timeless design and wide bowl, the glass is ideal for white or red wines (and sparkling too, for that matter), as the aesthetic presentation of the wine is attractive and the aromatics are rich and pleasing. We found that delicate aromatics opened up a bit more after swirling, allowing us to experience more of the wine characteristics.
Visually, the glass is a little shorter than some, and we found it to be a bit more bottom-heavy than some of the pricier glasses in our lineup. However, the shorter height and the slightly thicker stem give it a feeling of sturdiness, and we felt that we'd be able to be comfortable using these glasses frequently without fear of breakage. These are also offered as a handsomely packaged set of six, if you're looking for the perfect gift. The Gabriel-Glas StandArt stems are perfect for any wine lover, whether novice or expert.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Budget
Williams Sonoma Angle Red Wine Glasses
Great universal wine glass
Elegant appearance
Very affordable for the quality
Slightly bulky and heavy
Small mouth makes it hard to clean by hand
For wine lovers who appreciate a good value, the Angle glasses from Williams Sonoma offer a great deal of quality at a very affordable price. Tall and well-proportioned with a recognizable Bordeaux-style look, the glass had a classic yet modern appearance, and we found it to be reminiscent of the much more expensive Josephine glasses. It performed equally well for both red and white wines, highlighting the aromatics well and providing plenty of room for swirling with its large capacity.
While we loved the glass's handsome appearance, we did notice that it felt a little more economy-level upon close inspection. The lip of the glass was a bit thicker than some of the pricier glasses in our lineup, and the feel in the hand conveyed a certain bulkiness. We appreciated, however, how durable it felt, and we'd be comfortable using the Angle at a party or in some other context where breakage might be a concern.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 22 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best for White Wine
Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Perfect Wine Glass
Aesthetically pleasing design
Thinner profile ideal for white wines
Beadless lip and base
Very delicate
Somewhat expensive
Less ideal for red wines
Many of the world's finest white wines are all about precision and elegance—and those also happen to be two key attributes of "The Perfect Wine Glass" from designer Richard Brendon and renowned wine critic Jancis Robinson. Featuring a tall, thin profile and crafted from gorgeous hand-blown crystal, this glass is an excellent vessel for most white wines. We appreciated its beadless rim and base, and we loved how dainty it felt in the hand. That said, we did find ourselves a little nervous about breaking it!
Top points were awarded for its aesthetics, and we liked the fact that the base is the same width as the bell, which is always a sound design choice in a quality wine glass. We also appreciated the way the glass accentuated the olfactory notes of white wine in particular, with its more narrow design probably more suited for pretty whites than for robust reds. While this isn't a cheap glass, it will surely be a hit with anyone whose wine habits skew toward the white side of things.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 4.3 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best for Red Wine
Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glass
Dramatic and unique design
Hand-blown lead-free crystal
Enhances aromas of red wines
Expensive
Susceptible to breaking
The first thing that anyone will notice about this glass is the unique and fascinating shape—but there's much more to the Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glass than what first meets the eye. A visually striking glass crafted from lead-free crystal, it's also an ideal vessel for your next glass of robust red wine. While it might be a bit pricey compared to other options, it's a statement piece—and also happens to be a very practical red wine vessel.
Red wines can be unyielding, their flavors and aromas wrapped up in layers of tannins that take hours to unfold, but a well-designed wine glass can be extremely helpful in speeding along that process. We found that the unique design of the Josephine No. 3 allows the wine to be swirled vigorously with very little risk of any splashing out. Additionally, the wide surface area aids in aeration, and the flowing tapered design effectively conducts all those newly-released aromatics up to the nose. This is a purpose-built vessel for the red wine lover who doesn't shy away from making a definitive visual statement.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 27 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats/Russell Kilgore The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best for Pros
Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Wine Glass
Unique teardrop shape
Good feel and balance
Excellent universal glass
Expensive
Potential for breakage
You don't necessarily have to look like a pro to perform like a pro—but it can't hurt! The Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Universal Wine Glass offers the perfect way to step up your game when tasting wines in a professional context. From its teardrop shape to its delicate feel to its ideal balance, the No. 2 is an excellent choice for all wine pros, either active or aspiring. The unique shape of the glass enhances the aromas of white, red, and sparkling wines, making it an excellent option for those seeking a "universal" glass.
It's not just the striking shape that makes this glass professional grade—it's also crafted from hand-blown lead-free crystal, which gives it a feel that's dainty yet sturdy, complimented by excellent balance. We also thought the size was ideal for a universal glass, and we found ourselves referring to it as the "Goldilocks glass" in our lineup: not too big, not too small, just right. Overall, we found the No. 2 to be a high-end glass that begs for high-end wines.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 18.6 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Set
Zwiesel Glas Verbelle Wine Glasses
Handsome universal glass
Quality at an affordable price
Excellent for sparkling wine
A bit narrow for fuller-bodied reds
Difficult to swirl wine
When buying a set of universal-style wine glasses to use at home, the key is to find an option that delivers high quality at an affordable price—enter the Zwiesel Glas Verbelle Wine Glasses, offered in a set of six. With a tall, thin profile, and crafted in a classic Bordeaux style, the Verbelle earns high marks for appearance. We weren't bothered by the rounded lip of this glass, sometimes a marker of a cheaper option, because it wasn't distracting and didn't take away from the tasting experience.
White and red wines performed well in this glass, although we observed that its narrow profile makes swirling a little difficult, so it's not as ideal for full aeration as some of the larger options we tried. That said, despite being a universal glass, it's also an excellent option for sparkling wine. The thinner orientation offers great visuals of the bubbles, and the smaller surface area means that not too much carbonation is lost as the wine sits. For any wine you plan to pour for friends at home—especially bubbly!—the Verbelle set is a great option.
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
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Stemless
Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/Merlot
Large capacity
Easy to hold in your hand
Relatively affordable
Delicate
The Riedel Cabernet/Merlot glass achieves the best one-size-fits-all when needing a stemless option. Whether it was a luxurious Rioja or a glass of bubbles, this glass made each wine express its best characteristics when we tested it. And the best part was the shape wasn't too large for smaller hands, something that can be an issue in the stemless category.
While these are man-made for consistency, they are made from non-leaded glasses and are much studier than Riedel's stemmed wine glasses. They're great for everyday use, and very inexpensive for great wine glasses.
Material: Machine-made crystal | Capacity: 21.1 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
![Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/Merlot displayed on table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/ivHheeOJM9_G1SKOSbOo3Q40cWk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Reidel_Cabernet_HeroHoriz-a72612af43e64301b9c590b26c5c4016.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Kate Dingwall
Best for Champagne
Waterford Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Pair
Elegant look
Good for Champagne cocktails
Hand-wash recommended
Thin stem
You almost transport yourself back to another time and place when drinking Champagne out of a coupe. Maybe you’re at a jazz party or sitting in a booth at the Cotton Club, but wherever you're transported, there is just something about a coupe glass that makes you feel more elegant. These handcrafted Waterford crystal coupes are the addition to your collection that you never knew you needed.
It's important to note that we don't particularly recommend coupe glasses for Champagne or any other sparkling wine. The shallow shape means the bubbles will dissipate more quickly than in a flute. Add to this that the shape makes spilling so much easier and no one should waste good Champagne. That all said, we agree that they are a lot more fun to drink out of.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 7.8 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No
Final Verdict
The Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses are the best of the best if you want elegant wine glasses that are suitable for both reds and whites. If you’re just starting out and need a set of universal wine glasses, the Williams Sonoma Angle Red Wine Glasses are a more budget-friendly pick that will still let your wines shine.
![Person sniffing red wine in the Schott Zwiesel Verbelle universal glass](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/NRaU2e083tzKb82TbiNDdJU5wZY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-wine-glasses-test-schott-zwiesel-verbelle-set-6-rkilgore-12-b8b872304bf14c72acbfcb7f89ad9875.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
We tested a number of the top wine glasses by trying them out with several examples each of red wine, white wine, and sparkling wine. We evaluated the glasses when empty, checking for attributes such as weight, balance, and feel, and repeated these evaluations when the glasses had wine in them. We observed how different types of wine performed in each glass with respect to how they expressed themselves initially, as well as after being swirled. We also tested ease of cleaning by washing the glasses, and we evaluated each in terms of ease of storage, durability, and potential for breakage. Finally, we evaluated each glass in terms of overall value, based on its price versus its relative quality.
Other Options We Tested
- The Glasvin Universal Wine Glass won high praise for its classic shape and its elegant, dainty feel. However, we found it to be a bit tall for how thin the stem was, which made it feel slightly unbalanced and top-heavy. Additionally, the base was noticeably wider than the bowl—while this does provide stability for the tall glass, it also felt less aesthetically unified.
- The Riedel Wine Friendly Magnum Glass benefitted from Riedel's classic styling and typically high quality. We found ourselves disoriented, however, by how massively large the glass is (with a capacity of 35 ounces, it's able to hold well over a full bottle of wine). The sheer amount of glass made it heavy, causing us some discomfort while holding it—especially when it's full. That said, it aerates wine quite well due to the large surface area.
![A person holding white wine in a Josephine No 2 â Universal Glass](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/RCpAA-4VLalw8hJ8Gpo5YJAJNwc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-wine-glasses-test-josephine-no-2-universal-set-6-rkilgore-17-4ca1a8bdb0c5474997c5d5e890eec7d2.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
What to Look for in Wine Glasses
Bowl Size
Depending on your reasons for buying glassware, you need to think about the size of the bowl. If you’re more of a red wine drinker, you’ll need a bigger bowl to properly swirl and aerate the wine and a smaller bowl for white wines. The actual height of the glass is something to think about, too. How does the glass feel in your hand? You don’t want it to feel too small or too big.
Weight
Think about the weight of wine glasses as well. You don't want your wine glass to feel too heavy or too light. Although a light, delicate glass may enhance the flavors of the wines, you may be too nervous to drink from it for fear of breaking it as soon as you pick it up.
Rim
The rim of the glass, where your mouth makes contact with the wine, can enhance or detract from your enjoyment. Typically you want a thin rim, so there is less glass between your mouth and the wine when you take your first sip. Glasses made from crystal tend to have the thinnest rims because crystal is stronger than glass; the rim can be made pretty thin and delicate without breaking.
Care
Nowadays, you can purchase fine stemware that is dishwasher safe, but you still might want to care for them by hand. This allows you to be sure the stems and glass won't break during washing—or at least, know when they do—and avoids any left-behind soap residue or minerals that could affect your next glass. If you do choose to hand-wash, dry the glasses with a good microfiber towel. This will help avoid water marks and shouldn't leave behind small fibers.
![A person holding a Gabriel-Glas Austrian Crystal Wine Glass StandArt Edition glass containing white wine](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/BryAYh_6f5mDvlzcGy4SHCJCAFg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-wine-glasses-test-gabriel-glas-standart-crystal-set-6-rkilgore-26-51b6d051dd9a43638c9c89ae4ce0010f.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
FAQs
How do you properly hold a wine glass?
You always want to hold a wine glass by the stem or by the base. Grabbing by the bowl may seem easier or more natural, but your hand heats the wine in the glass, which will quickly change the temperature of the wine. It also makes it easier to swirl for catching those subtle aromas.
What's the best way to clean a wine glass?
When cleaning a wine glass, be gentle. Focus on the outside and rim of the glass where fingerprints and lipstick residue may be present. If you have a brush, use that for the inside or put a little warm water and dish detergent inside the glass and swirl it around. Be sure to hold the glass, buy the bowl this time, low in the sink when washing. Holding by just the stem and the twisting movements during washing could snap that stem right off.
How many ounces are in a standard glass of wine?
There are five ounces in a standard pour of wine, which equates to five glass per 750-milliliter bottle. If you need to stretch a bottle to six glasses, try to only pour four ounces.
What's the best way to store wine glasses?
The best way to store a wine glass is with the rim side up. The rims of wine glasses are the most delicate part of the glass, and you want to prevent the weight of the glass from resting on this part.
![A person swirling white wine inside of a Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Wine Glass](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/0QfCOVfRBFeb4sVTAyY7F73x3JY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-wine-glasses-test-richard-brendon-jancis-robinson-set-2-rkilgore-68-bf46e1b1106c4ec7a22b94c0dd6af9e0.jpeg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Tanisha Townsend holds the WSET Level 3 Certification and is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. She has been teaching people how to swirl and sniff wine in glasses for over a decade. In doing so, she’s learned the best glasses for each wine to enhance flavor—and look good while doing it. But more importantly, she can wash a wine glass without breaking it.
This piece was updated by Jesse Porter, a longtime sommelier and wine writer whose glassware collection has grown substantially in the past decade due to his gradual acquiescence to the idea that the practice of swigging wine directly from the bottle, while perhaps displaying the maximum degree of unbridled devotion to the hedonistic appreciation of the yields of the vine, is less than optimal vis-a-vis the practice of thorough and critical evaluation.