Drinking and collecting wine is remarkably rewarding.
If you’re new to the discipline, you’ll soon discover you can get away with surprisingly little equipment.
To get started, you’ll need an effective corkscrew or electric bottle opener. Both work equally well, so opt with what works best for you.
For red wine lovers, you’ll need to allow your wine to breathe. You can achieve this by pouring it into a wine decanter and waiting a while, or by using a wine aerator for near-instant results. Decanters are traditional, tried, and true, but for anyone always crunched for time, there’s no substitute for the best wine aerator.
However you achieve aeration, introducing oxygen to your red wine enhances the flavor, aroma, and bouquet, while at the same time softening the tannins. In plain English, it makes the wine more drinkable.
Wine storage presents its own set of challenges. For lovers of mixed wine, a dual-zone wine cooler gives you the convenience of split-zone cooling to store both types of wine optimally and simultaneously. If you drink exclusively reds or whites, you can get away with a single-zone cooler. Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to store wine in the kitchen refrigerator. The temperature and humidity levels are wrong, there is too much light, and there’s also too much vibration.
With these weapons in your armory, all you’ll need now is the best wine glasses and, of course, a bottle of wine.
Paying a little more for glassware will often yield dividends with a set of glasses that last for years.
Broadly speaking, white wine is best consumed from glasses with narrow bowls. This design maximizes both flavor and aroma. Red wines, by contrast, respond better when poured into glasses featuring oversized, bulbous bowls. This promotes aeration while intensifying the flavor and the bouquet of the wine.
Now for the good news. Beyond that simple rule of thumb, there are not too many things you need to consider when you’re comparing wine glasses. Focus on the following and you’ll encounter no problems at all.
With that framework in place, you’re ready to explore out curated list of the best wine glasses on the market.
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The 14 Best Wine Glasses
1. Our #1 Pick: Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glasses
First in line and our overall favorite wine glasses, these versatile flutes from Schott Zwiesel are ideal for a variety of wines.
The shape of the bowl and the design of the stem make these glasses a neat fit for either full-bodied whites or young reds. For older red wines, we would recommend some of the red-specific glasses on our shortlist.
The Tritan crystal is a composition of zirconium oxide and titanium oxide that’s used to great effect worldwide for producing glassware.
Unlike many wine glasses claiming to be dishwasher-safe, these truly are. As long as you resist the temptation to jam the glasses into the prongs of the rack, you’ll enjoy hands-free cleaning with no worries.
These glasses are break-resistant and they also shimmer with a brilliant clarity that belies the keen pricing.
While you get a robust build, this means these glasses feel reasonably heavy in your hand. If you don’t object to a little extra weight and you enjoy drinking mainly white wines, these are some of the best wine glasses you can find. Even better? They don’t cost the earth either.
2. Riedel Veritas Chardonnay Glasses
Riedel is a household name in the glassware space with good reason. They offer these chardonnay glasses as a set of two, so curl up with your loved one, a bottle of your favorite white wine, and these outstanding glasses to bring out the best in that wine.
The machine-made glassware gives you the consistency only this method delivers. You’ll enjoy a flawless finish without sacrificing the character or the aesthetics of hand-blown glassware.
Lightweight and a pleasure to hold, these decadent glasses make for great daily drinking, so don’t hide them away for guests. Many people make the mistake of investing in decent glassware then refusing to use it in case they break the glass. Don’t fall for this trap. Wine glasses are there to be used and enjoyed not stored away out of sight.
The 22oz capacity gives you ample space for a generous serving, and once you’re done, you can slip these glasses in the dishwasher fuss-free.
3. Riedel O Wine Tumbler
Riedel is one of the most reputable brands in the glassware space, producing outstanding stemware for centuries. Back in 2004, the company launched this iconic stemless glass in the O collection. How does it perform?
Well, the stemless aesthetic is not to everyone’s taste, but if you want to inject some playfulness into wine drinking, and if you want a glass that’s useful for more than just wine, the O tumbler is well worth a place on your shortlist.
Not only does the stemless nature mean you can more easily place the glasses in the dishwasher, but they will also be less prone to breakage.
These glasses are designed to enhance the flavor and aroma of red wines.
Given the prestige of this brand, these glasses would also make a wonderful gift for any wine lovers in your life.
Machine-made at the Riedel factory in Austria, these glasses manage to combine striking design with impressive lifespan, giving you just about everything you could look for in wine glasses.
The only real gripes we could find among predominantly positive user feedback concerns the remarkably lightweight nature of this glassware. If you prefer the feel of a wine tumbler with a weighty base, the O tumbler doesn’t make the best bet. For those who prefer a more lightweight experience, the Riedel delivers across the board.
4. BrüMate Uncork'd XL Insulated Wine Tumbler
If you’re looking for a rugged wine glass that works equally well in the home kitchen, on the campsite, or out in the RV, this insulated tumbler from BrüMate is well worth popping on your shortlist.
The first thing you’ll need to do is pick from a broad palette of striking colors. All the wine tumblers are finished in a durable 18/8 stainless steel, so they will withstand plenty of punishment.
The 14oz capacity of this tumbler lets you pour up to half a bottle of your favorite vino inside. Thanks to the robust insulation, the wine will stay cooler for much longer than when poured into a regulation wine glass.
The stainless steel construction is also entirely food-safe, and you won’t have any niggling concerns about toxins or contaminants leaching into your drink.
The tumbler is also equipped with a removable lid, perfect for outdoor environments. This even has space to insert a straw or sipper if you’re drinking cocktails from this tumbler.
For anyone looking for a wine glass that gives you outstanding flexibility, exceptional lifespan, and a splash of fun coloring, the BrüMate Uncork’d XL is a must. The only real complaints we found in predominantly positive user feedback concerns the overall caliber of the finish.5. Riedel 00 Collection Red Wine Glasses
Riedel needs no introduction when it comes to wine glasses. This brand has specialized in producing impeccable glassware for generations.
The first thing you’ll need to do when exploring the 00 collection is decide which type of glass makes the smoothest fit. In addition to these red wine glasses, you can also opt for white wine glasses, champagne glasses, or tumblers.
While Riedel glassware certainly isn’t cheap, you’ll get 4 glasses bundled in this set, so you’re getting reasonable overall value considering the build quality and brand reputation.
When you pour your favorite bottle of red into these glasses, you’ll find the flavor profile and tannins are emphasized wonderfully. You should nevertheless still decant or aerate your red wine before drinking. This will reduce the astringency of some of the more pronounced tannins and will improve the taste and aroma.
Unlike many wine glasses, these delicate gems are completely safe to pop in the dishwasher after use. If the glasses become stained over time, try using some white vinegar to restore them to their former glory.
The design of this glassware means you could also serve cocktails as well as your red wine if you fancy widening your beverages menu.
Although the glasses are suitable for daily use, you should be aware that they feel pretty fragile. Given the pricing, you may prefer to keep these in the cupboard for special occasions.6. Gabriel-Glas Wine Glasses
Gabriel-Glas manufactures some outstanding machine-made glassware that replicates the best qualities of hand-blown crystal without any of the inconsistencies.
The gift box gives you a ready-made present for any wine lover in your life. All you’ll need to do is resist the temptation to keep these glasses for yourself. If you want to make that gift even more special, you can opt for the custom engraving package to personalize the glasses further.
You get a set of six glasses giving you something for all the family and guests.
The design child of famous wine critic, René Gabriel, these universal glasses are designed to bring out the best in all wines, saving you from a cupboard groaning under the weight of a huge array of wine glasses. Instead, use these for all your wines, saving space and money.
The thin rim helps to fully concentrate the aroma of your wine while the base of the bowl is broader, allowing for quicker aeration. The curves of the glass help with near-instant decanting.
Molded as one seamless piece with no stress points, you should get plenty of service from these dishwasher safe wine glasses from an industry expert.
7. Spiegelau White Wine Glasses
Spiegelau is one of the most enduringly popular brands in the glassware vertical and with just cause.
These white wine glasses come in a pocket-friendly set of four, allowing you to buy into this legendary brand without blowing the budget.
The narrow rim and bowl of the glass makes the perfect vessel for white wines, letting you enjoy the fullest flavor and aroma.
Made from flawless and lead-free crystal, the glasses sparkle in the light and give the appearance of being handmade, but with the precision of laser-cut glassware.
The bowl of the glasses is colorless and also completely transparent. The stem and bowl are connected perfectly, and the seamless construction eliminates the usual weak points.
The delicacy of these glasses means you would advise to handle them with extreme care.
8. Riedel Vinum Xl Cabernet Glasses
If you’re partial to large servings of vino with your dinner, you’ll need to find glassware to match your appetite. Riedel caters for this market head-on with the XL series of cabernet glasses.
The capacity of these glasses is a whopping 34oz, so you certainly won’t be left wanting.
You get a set of four glasses, perfect for couple or small families. Considering the brand and the quality of the glassware, this set is priced quite keenly.
The dishwasher-friendly glasses ensure you get a low-maintenance experience, as well as allowing you to enjoy cabernet in lead crystal splendor.
You’ll enjoy the consistency that’s only achieved through machine production. Riedel has been producing wine glasses beloved by the industry for the past half-century, so why not buy into that spectacular brand heritage and treat yourself to some of the best large wine glasses up for grabs?
9. Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glasses
If you’ve been searching in vain for some good cheap wine glasses, look no further. Bormioli Rocco produce these red wine glasses as a set of four for less than you might pay for a bottle of wine. Despite the budget price tag, you won’t get stiffed in terms of quality or build, though.
The deep bowl allows your red wine to breathe and develop fully, while you’ll also be able to appreciate the bouquet and aroma fully. We would still recommend using an aerator or a decanter to soften the edges of your wine without needing to wait for hours, but good glassware is the finishing touch when the wine is aerated. The depth of the bowl also promotes the swirling that will bring out all the hidden characteristics in your favorite vintage.
These glasses have delicate laser-cut rims, putting very little glass between your lips and the liquid.
Although the vast bulk of feedback concerning these wine glasses, a few disgruntled consumers complained about the sizing. To clear this up, the capacity is 18oz, so if that’s not roomy enough, we’d suggest something like the Riedel XL instead. Overall, these are excellent budget glasses that also look great.
10. Riedel O Wine Tumbler
Next up we have something slightly different with yet another entry from the mighty Riedel. These wine tumblers are perfect for red wine, but the lack of stem makes them eminently unsuitable for white wine. If you have a taste for red, read on.
The simplicity and clean lines of these glasses are the main draw. They look fantastic, appear uncluttered on the kitchen counter, and bring out the very best in your red wines.
Made from fine crystal, you can nevertheless slide these glasses in the dishwasher after this, saving you from grappling with red wine stains by hand, never a pleasant task.
This firm has been in business for over fifty years producing first-class glassware that brings out the best in a variety of wines. Whether you opt for some of their varietal-specific glasses, or something multipurpose, there’s something for everyone among the deep bench of products.
As an added incentive, take advantage of the deal where you buy three glasses and get a fourth bundled free of charge. What’s not to love?
11. Zwiesel Glas Stemware Collection
Zwiesel Glas serves up this set of 6 wine glasses so how do they shape up?
The first thing to note is that these glasses are not made from regular Tritan, despite the word appearing in the product listing. Tritan is an unbreakable BPA-free plastic, but here you get Tritan crystal, so don’t be misled if you are hunting for some Tritan stemware.
These versatile glasses are great with either full-bodied white wines or younger red wines. If you are drinking red wine, don’t forget to aerate it before consumption. This will intensify the flavor and bouquet of the wine.
As long as you refrain from jamming these glasses into the dishwasher too hard, you should experience no issues with hands-free cleanup.
The glasses don’t just give you a great experience when you’re drinking wine, but they also look great on the kitchen counter.
Each glass has an 18oz capacity, allowing you to pour yourself a nice generous serving after a hard day at the office.
Whether you’re a fan of cabernet sauvignon or merlot, malbec or Bordeaux, you’re spoiled for choice when you invest in this Zwiesel Glas stemware set. Let us know how you get on if you opt for these great wine glasses. We always love to hear from our readers here at Pascucci.
Easy to use, easy to keep clean, and easy on the eye, these glasses give you everything you need and nothing you don’t.12. Grassl Mineralité Wine Glass
For anyone with a fluid budget hunting for the best wine glasses, Grassl’s Mineralité collection is ideal.
Designed for white wine and champagne, you’ll get a long and delicate stem perfect for ensuring your white wine stays chilled rather than warmed by your hands.
The glass is made using a single piece of pulled crystal. This leads to seamless construction and less chance of breakages. Despite this, the glasses have a refined and elegant aesthetic.
Lightweight and suitable for daily use, this glassware will also make a striking statement at your next dinner party. Beyond this, these glasses would make a sumptuous gift for your favorite oenophile.
The only thing we can really knock about these wine glasses is the ruthless pricing, but if you’re prepared to pay a premium for the finest things in life, you won’t be disappointed with these glasses.
13. Libbey Vineyard Wine Glasses
Our penultimate contender for the best wine glasses comes from Libbey Vineyard. What can you expect from these multipurpose glasses, then?
Firstly, you’ll benefit from the convenience of a single set of glasses ideal for red or white wine. If you frequently drink both types of wine and you don’t want too many glasses and you don’t want to compromise on performance either, Libbey Vineyard delivers on all fronts.
You’ll get one class perfect for red and the other designed for whites giving you maximum versatility.
The lead-free crystal is machine-made, giving you complete consistency and a flawless finish.
Easy and safe to clean in the dishwasher, these are some of the best wine glasses you’ll find and they will ensure you bring out the best flavor and aroma in all kinds of wine.
Most of the user review of these glasses are positive, but we found some scattered blowback about quality control. This is often an issue with glassware, so we’d recommend very closely checking the contents of your package upon receipt.
14. Riedel Ouverture Red Wine Glasses
Another offering from the inimitable Riedel with the Ouverture collection of wine glasses specifically designed for red wine lovers.
Although Riedel glassware isn’t cheap, you’re buying into centuries of deep experience producing the very best wine glasses. This brand may never have ventured into wine production, but their expertise is unrivalled when it comes to making glasses to bring out the best in your wine.
You get a pair of glasses here, each with a modest 12oz capacity. If you prefer much more substantial glasses of wine, you should look at some of the bigger options we review.
Made from fine crystal, these glasses are ideal for special occasions while still working well for everyday use.
Despite the thin glass and clean lines, the Riedel are perfectly safe to pop in the dishwasher as long as you don’t push them too hard into the prongs inside.
When you’re drinking red wine in these glasses, you’ll appreciate the large bowl. This helps to release the flavors and aroma of the wine as you swirl it around in your glass – just don’t forget to decant and aerate it before serving!
When you’re hunting for the best wine glasses, all that counts is finding stemware that meshes with your drinking tastes. For red wine fans, there are few better glasses than these Riedel gems.Conclusion
If you’re new to wine collecting, choosing the right wine glasses is one of the first obstacles you’ll need to overcome. You’ll soon discover that not all glasses are created equal.
Red wine and white wine requires a very different design of glass to bring out the best. We’d reviewed plenty of examples of both types of wine glass, as well as some multipurpose glassware forgiving of both red and white wine.
If you opt for one of the dozen glasses we review today, you’ll have a precise idea of where they stand and fall. Veer off-piste with some glasses not on our shortlist and we hope the simple buying guidance above helps inform your decision.
Before leaving today, we’d ask you to take a moment to bookmark PascucciRestaurant. We’re here to help you with all aspects of collecting wine as well as kitting out your home bar with the most affordable and effective gear. We have a busy content calendar for the coming months, so pop back soon and don’t miss out!