What to Buy Bar & Drinks The Best Wine Glasses, According to F&W Editors and Sommeliers These are our favorite picks to enjoy your wine-drinking experience. By Megan Soll Megan Soll Megan Soll is an Associate Editorial Director for Food & Wine Commerce. She joined Dotdash Meredith in 2015 and has over 11 years of experience writing and editing food, entertainment, and lifestyle content. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 30, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What Makes a Great Wine Glass FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore The world of wine glasses is vast and full of wonders. The right glass can take an everyday Cab and make it taste sublime or bring out aromas you'd never catch with an ordinary glass from your special occasion bottle. Whatever your entertaining style or wine knowledge, every home deserves a quality set of stems, whether you're hosting the whole family for the holidays or unwinding on the couch on a Friday night. Naysayers might feel there's no difference, that a pour into a regular drinking glass doesn't ultimately change the wine for the casual wine drinker. Our feeling is that there's nothing snooty about enhancing an everyday experience with an upgrade, and when it comes to enjoying wine, it can make a genuine difference. We've tested dozens of wine glasses, all vetted by our editors, sommeliers, and wine industry experts, to bring together a list of the most timeless wine glass sets to serve yourself and your guests at home. Do I need different wine glasses for different varietals? The short answer is no, but if your heart tells you to own separate sets for Chablis and Reisling, we're not here to manage your glassware cabinet of wondrous size. We do feel it's helpful to have two sets of stemmed glasses, more for different purposes rather than specific styles of wine. A hardy set that won't be vulnerable in the dishwasher can come in handy for entertaining a crowd, as can an elevated set to bring out the best in a Cabernet your wine-obsessed boss brought as a host gift. Most wines will taste great in a universal style glass (which we've included the most picks for below), but we've also included a few options for making red or white wines stand out, as well as sparkling and stemless options. Our Top Picks Best Classic Universal Wine Glass: Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses at Amazon ($68) Jump to Review Best Value Universal Wine Glass: Glasvin Wine Glasses at Food52 ($50) Jump to Review Editor Favorite Wine Glass: Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Wine Glass at Amazon ($205) Jump to Review Best High-End Wine Glass: Zalto Denk'Art Universal Wine Glass at Amazon ($170) Jump to Review Best for Red Wine: Wine Enthusiast Somm Pinot Noir Wine Glass at Wine Enthusiast (See Price) Jump to Review Best High-End Red Wine Glass: Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glass at Amazon ($205) Jump to Review Best for White Wine: Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Perfect Wine Glass at Food52 ($98) Jump to Review Best Classic Universal Wine Glass Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses Amazon View On Amazon $68 View On Macy's $68 View On Wine.com $68 Key characteristics: Old-school shape; understated but elegant; balanced; durable enough for everyday use Spot this Austrian crystal glass in a store and you might guess that it retails for about twice the actual price. This set of two from Gabriel-Glas is a truly one-for-all option with seamless construction and a wonderfully light but durable design. The bell shape feels like a throwback to older wine glass designs, but the subtle flare of the bowl makes it ideal for swirling and enhances the nose of every sip. Golden Age Wine owner Brandon Loper found this glass sturdy but elegant. “Nicely balanced, and there is a deceiving amount of weight in the funnel portion of the stem,” he says, ”It looks delicate, but it is in fact quite solid.” Our somms and experts were surprised by the price of this glass, given its excellent quality and performance while sipping the Beaujolais and Cava. “This is a true universal glass. It can handle anything and everything.“ Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16 ounces | Height: 9 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes Best Value Universal Wine Glass Glasvin Wine Glasses Food52 View On Food52 $50 View On Wine.com $80 View On Glas.vin Key characteristics: Long legs; delicate and dainty; thin-lipped; reasonably priced The Glasvin Universal wine glass is one of our top choices and has piqued our interest for a few years. It’s satisfyingly versatile, handling both reds and whites as well as sparkling wines with the right balance and ease. The lip is pleasantly smooth, and the bouquet came through across three wine styles thanks to the classic bowl shape. “Drinking from the glass is comfortable. The shape of the bowl and the size of the mouth is a nice size,” says Trent Stewart of Golden Age Wine, “You can get your nose in it well enough for the complete aromatic effect.” Sommeliers noted that the delicate design is elegant if a little precarious—the stem is thinner than some other models, which makes it slightly top-heavy. If you’re clumsy with glassware, we’d recommend something with a more durable design. Overall, we feel it’s a worthwhile purchase, especially for the price, and we felt it outperformed almost every universal glass except the Zalto and the Josephine No. 2. Food 52 Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Lead-Free Crystal | Capacity: 16.9 ounces | Height: 9.25 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, with care Editor Favorite Wine Glass Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Wine Glass Amazon View On Amazon $205 View On Josephinen.com Key characteristics: Thoughtful and unique design; high-end quality; excellent for aromatics; elegant and balanced A head-turner for serious wine enthusiasts and glassware fanatics, the Josephine No. 2 glass earns the top shelf for our bar cabinets. "Kurt Zalto is inarguably one of the world’s best glassware designers," says Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle. Although outside investors pushed Zalto out of the company that still bears his family name today, he founded Josephinenhütte, which now produces wine glasses with one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. The mouth-blown glasses are hand-finished in Europe in a painstaking two-day process. According to Kurt Zalto himself, “Finding a glassmaker who can make this glass is complicated—15 out of 2,000 people at our factory can do it, and even then, they have to train for three months.” After testing, we can only say that the Josephine No. 2 glass is exceptional. It is truly a universal glass and works equally well to bring out aromatics in red wines and flavors in white wine, and it easily holds up the effervescence in sparkling wines. "The first time I saw his new universal glass, with its distinctive shape, I thought, 'Well, that’s ... unusual looking,'" says Isle, "Then I picked it up, felt how beautifully balanced it was, tasted through a number of different wines with it, and thought to myself, 'Dang, this may be the best wine glass I’ve ever held.'” Sommeliers who tried this glass remarked on its elegant and thoughtful design, with perfect balance and a unique shape that focuses on aromatics. It brought our great flavors and notes that other glasses didn’t manage. "Is it an expensive stem? No doubt. Is it both a joy to hold and a pleasure to drink from? Absolutely," says Isle, "If you’ve got a wine lover in your life, giving them a pair of these would make them very happy indeed. Not that I’m hinting or anything." Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Hand-blown glass | Capacity: 18.6 ounces | Height: 9.45 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Hand washing recommended The 7 Best Champagne Glasses, According to a Sommelier Best High-End Wine Glass Zalto Denk'Art Universal Wine Glass Wine Enthusiast View On Amazon $170 View On Wine Enthusiast View On Themanufactory.com Key characteristics: Michelin-quality; prestige brand; perfect ratio from base to bowl; slender and nearly weightless There are all the other wine glasses, and then there is the Zalto. Undeniably a showstopper, the finest European crystal stem and bowl is topped with an impossibly thin and beadless rim. The wine community will immediately recognize this brand, hallmarked by lightness and excellent effects on aromatics and flavors. “This is what I would expect at a fine-dining restaurant with a smart wine program,” says Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis, “It’s a gorgeous glass, and I love the wide base compared to the thin stem, and it’s very easy to swirl. I think it’s a good all-purpose for any red or white or if you’re going through whites and reds at dinner.” The nearly weightless feel and versatility make this glass a special investment. Sommeliers agree that the ratio of the base to the bowl and mouth makes it one of the most balanced glasses you’ll find. The glass design allows complex aromas to bloom and allows you to taste the nuance in your favorite wines exceptionally well. "I use many kinds of glasses, but for special occasions, I love Zalto glasses," says Joel Gott, founder of Joel Gott Wines. "They are so thin and beautiful and can make drinking a special bottle even more special." Hall uses Zalto for Chardonnay and sparkling wines, calling it "a feat of glass-blowing art that is hard to fathom." Even though they're surprisingly strong and durable, you'll want to handle them with extra care since they're still delicate and pricey. This is a glass to impress a serious wine drinker, collector, or connoisseur. “This is a higher-end brand, and you are going to pay for the quality,” says Lewis, “As long as you are willing to hand wash and take care of the glass, it’s worth the investment." Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Crystal glass | Capacity: 18 ounces | Height: 9.3 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes Best for Red Wine Wine Enthusiast Somm Pinot Noir Wine Glass Wine Enthusiast View On Wine Enthusiast Key characteristics: Ideal for swirling; flamboyant design but well-made; good for older wines If you aren’t an amateur wine drinker and you’re looking for an excellent red wine glass that won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Wine Enthusiast Somm Pinot Noir glass has every element you could want. Sommeliers swooned over this glass, calling it “visually striking” and noting the excellent bowl shape for aggressive swirling, catering to red wine lovers. “This glass almost works like a decanter given its large surface area even with larger pours, making this glass a good option for bolder (and/or older) wines that need adequate time to fully open,” says Level 2 somm Laura Newman. F&W Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis was also taken by the beauty of this glass. “I love that you can see the legs coming down this glass, and for red, that’s important to me.” As the name suggests, this glass is great for lighter reds, like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. The teku shape on the glass brings out the aromatics in all red varietals, allowing a full spectrum of flavors on the palate without losing the aromas on the nose. “It’s easy to get half of my face into the glass,” says Lewis. He also felt that despite the large volume, there is a substantial base and stem to support it. “It doesn’t feel too dainty.” We would use this set when having company over. “This is a stunningly beautiful glass,” Lewis says, “It’s something worthy of a splurge or something that could elevate even a $15 bottle.” It’s perfect for small dinner parties and cheersing—the "clink" resonates with a satisfying, deep chime. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 26 ounces | Height: 9.25 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes Best High-End Red Wine Glass Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glass Amazon View On Amazon $205 View On Josephinen.com Key characteristics: high-end; luxurious; best for intimate settings; large volume bowl The Josephine No. 3 is what we’d consider a splurge for discerning red wine drinkers or wine collectors. The large bowl aerates the wine easily in the glass and brings out the variations in color between a Beaujolais and a Bordeaux. Wine glass purists might not love the unusual shape, but the performance of this glass brings the full spectrum of aromas and flavors to reds. According to sommeliers, the wine rolls off the palate with “effortless grace,” matching the nose perfectly. It rivals Zalto in every aspect. We loved the weight of the glass, the height, and the ease of swirling, especially for fuller-bodied reds. The balance is just right, even given the larger bowl, and it’s easy to hold. “I would drink any red wine out of the glass, and white wine for that matter,” says Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis, “I think it’s a beautiful glass. Absolutely my favorite.” Our experts and editors agreed this isn’t a glass for everyone, given the price and specialized style. “I think it’s a statement piece, a great showcase for special wine, and a great way to elevate your everyday house wine as well.” Unsurprisingly, it’s definitely hand-wash only and not for everyday use. “You’re paying for the quality,” says Lewis, “This is not the glass to break out at your party—this is for smaller and more intimate settings.” It’s certainly a luxury if you can afford it, but a set you’ll keep forever and a tool serious wine drinkers will treasure. “I’d be very happy with this as a gift,” says Lewis, “I’d be very happy to pour a glass for friends while entertaining. I would be proud to own it.” Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Material: Hand-blown glass | Capacity: 27 ounces | Height: 9.4 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, with care Best for White Wine Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Perfect Wine Glass Bloomingdale's View On Food52 $98 View On Bloomingdales $135 View On Richardbrendon.com Key characteristics: Traditional shape; narrow bowl; delicate; balanced If you’re more likely to opt for a Chablis than a Cabernet, this glass is the right choice. The slightly thinner shape and tapered form brings out the best in white and sparkling wine varieties—less so for bold reds, for which we’d recommend a universal glass above or a dedicated red style. It has a delicate feel but is made with durable lead-free crystal. If you’re not a hardened connoisseur of wine, this set will be perfectly serviceable for most varietals. It’s not going to pick up on the same nuances that the Josephine or Zaltos might, but it’s an excellent style to own or gift for white wine-loving households. "I love the Jancis glasses. They are an example of the move towards universal glasses," says Isle. "It's definitely more affordable than buying a different glass for every grape.” Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 18 ounces | Height: 8.8 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes What Makes a Great Wine Glass Size Wine glasses range from small glasses of under two ounces for dessert and fortified wines to giant balloons that can hold nearly a whole bottle if you don’t stop pouring! Generally, you want glasses large enough to get some air in the wine. A standard pour is around 3-5 ounces, or about the bottom third of a tulip-shaped glass or the bottom quarter of a balloon-shaped glass. If you are not purchasing varietal-specific glasses, choose a glass with about an 8-ounce capacity for white wines and a 10- to 12-ounce capacity for reds to allow for that airspace. You should also consider cleanup; if you intend to put them in the dishwasher, be sure the stems are not so tall as to prevent them from fitting in your washer. Stemmed or Stemless Wine glasses are designed with stems to keep your warm hands off of the bowl of the glass, which will warm the wine. Stemless glasses were designed to be compact for storage and cleaning and less prone to breakage. If you tend to serve everyday “house” level wines, or if you have a lot of kids and dogs running around your parties, stemless might be the way to go for safety’s sake. However, if you enjoy higher-level wines, having stemmed glasses on hand can be worth it to enjoy them properly. Red or White The main difference between “standard” non-varietal red and white glasses is usually in width. Red wine glasses usually will have a wider bowl profile since reds tend to need more air to make them sing. White wine glasses will have a taller, narrower bowl, which can help them retain their cooler temperature. You can serve red or white in pretty much any glass, so if you want to buy one set, look for a universal style glass, which splits the difference. The bowl might be larger than a standard white glass but less balloon-shaped than a traditional red glass. Versatility It makes sense to buy red- or white-specific glasses if you always stock your wine fridge with the same type of wine. But for something more versatile, experts recommend stocking up on multipurpose wine glasses that work well with reds and whites. "Universal and all-purpose wine glasses are a great choice if you are new to drinking wine, don't have the space in your home or apartment to store separate glasses, or are just looking to save money in that department," says Joel Gott, founder of Joel Gott Wines. "While drinking out of a specific glass for each type of wine can bring out the best experience and flavor in each, it is by no means necessary. You should choose a glass that makes wine taste great for you." Frequently Asked Questions Are wine glasses dishwasher-safe? “It depends on the wine glasses and your dishwasher,” says Jonathan Shapiro, Chief Wine Officer of Vinedrop, “Some dishwashers have features for washing wine glasses, but my recommendation is if they are thin glasses and glasses that are expensive, it's probably best to hand wash just in case.” Why are thin wine glasses better? “Having opened and directed wine programs for over a dozen restaurants around the world, I can say that thin wine glasses terrify me,” says Belinda Chang, a James Beard Award-winning sommelier, writer, and restaurateur. “I’m always thinking about the dish pit, the polishers, the bussers — all of the service team, and, of course, the guests snapping those glasses, albeit gorgeous, the first time they hit the dining room tables. However, I also believe that in addition to making me and my guests look and feel more glamorous, thin wine glasses do have some concrete contributions to a better wine-drinking experience. They give a more accurate and better appreciation of the bubble and color of the wine, contribute less to premature warming from cellar temperature to room temperature, and the thin glasses also affect the mouthfeel on the “frontal attack”/first sip of the wine.” How do you hold a wine glass? “I have taught Wine 101 classes to tens of thousands of restaurant staff and wine lovers around the world, and the second page of the “packet” reminds them to NEVER hold a wine glass by the bowl nor the base,” Chang says. “I have paid polishers to keep those parts of the glass fingerprint free and holding the glass by either part destroys the beauty of that expensive wine glass and the wine-drinking experience. Always hold the wine glass by the stem. And never trust a restaurant that only carries stemless glasses!” Do crystal glasses contain lead? When shopping for wine glasses, you may find some labeled as glass and others as crystal and wonder what the difference is. Even though seeing something labeled crystal glass used to mean it was made with lead, many brands nowadays offer lead-free crystal wine glasses. But the truth is that the main difference between crystal and glass is cost, according to our Executive Wine Editor, Ray Isle. "It doesn't matter in terms of tasting," he says. How should you store wine glasses? “I recommend storing them standing upright because there is a much less chance for chipping at the top of the glass. If they are very expensive glasses, you can always save them in the box they came in and take them out when you use them. There are also wine storage boxes you can use as well,” says Shapiro. Our Expertise Megan Soll is the Associate Editorial Director for Commerce on Food & Wine and has a WSET Level 1 Award in Wine and Spirits Our sommelier experts include Laura Newman, Owner of Queen’s Park and Neon Moon (Level 2 Somm.), Seth Dunagen, Helen (Level 2 Somm.), and Trent Stewart and Brendan Loper from Golden Age Wine Additional reporting was done by Amina Lake Abdelrahman, a commerce editor, and Laura Denby, who has a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor for Travel + Leisure. His book The World in a Wineglass: The Insiders’ Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now is out now Experts interviewed also include Belinda Chang (a James Beard Award-winning sommelier), Joel Gott (founder of Joel Gott Wines), James Hall (winemaker at Patz & Hall), and Ian Cauble (master sommelier and founder of SommSelect) The Best Stackable Glassware, According to Beverage Directors Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit