The 8 Best Wine Glasses in 2023, According to Experts

LIQUOR-best-wine-glasses — Liquor / Chloe Jeong

With so many styles available at a wide range of price points, shopping for wine glasses can be overwhelming. Getting insights from wine experts, though, can ease the process––especially now that the wine scene is moving toward a more pared-down approach to glassware. “I’ve noticed that people aren’t into individual glass shapes as much as they used to be,” says Doreen Winkler, a natural wine sommelier and founder of the wine club Orange Glou. “People want to simplify the wine drinking experience,” she says. “You don’t need a burgundy wine glass to drink burgundy.” Still, specialized glasses will always have their place in fine dining and for the serious, at-home drinker.

No matter what your own glassware philosophy might be, it’s safe to say that durability and versatility are important things to consider when looking for new wine glasses. It’s also worth considering whether or not you mind handwashing glasses or would find a dishwasher-safe glass more suited to your needs. Here are some of the industry’s top picks for any occasion.

Best Overall: Riedel Vinum Viognier/Chardonnay Glasses

Courtesy of Liquor.com

Pros

Excellent for low-acid wines
Dishwasher-safe

Cons

Delicate

Expressive, low-acid wines thrive in Riedel’s 12.38-ounce crystal VINUM Viognier/Chardonnay glasses. This particular collection was first launched in 1986, but the glassware company has been around since the mid-18th century and is credited with pioneering varietal-specific stemware. The mouth of this particular glass is not too narrow, designed to direct the flow of liquid to the desired area of the palate for optimized tasting based on its designated wine style. The VINUM line’s Viognier and Chardonnay glasses also work well for Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Gris/Blanc, and more. They’re also dishwasher-safe for your convenience.

Generally speaking, it’s smart to keep glassware specific to medium and fuller-bodied white wines as they can easily stand in as light-bodied red wine glasses, making them ideal for transitioning through a coursed meal.

Best for Red Wine: Williams Sonoma Angle Red Wine Glasses

Pros

All-purpose and universal
Excellent deal
Option to add monograms

Cons

Very large bowl - not ideal for acidic whites or bubbles
Stem is rather thick

This all-purpose set of Williams Sonoma red wine glasses is an absolute steal. Combining graceful structural lines with strong curvature, the German-made stemware is lead-free, break-resistant, and dishwasher safe. The angular silhouette of these striking 22-ounce glasses is more aesthetically pleasing than technically designed––the functionality of the bowls lies in their middle-of-the-road width and shape, making them versatile enough to accommodate any red wine style. The Angle glass can hold its own atop any tablescape, elaborate or not.

Best for White Wine: Schott Zwiesel Sensa White Wine Glasses

Bed bath and beyond

Pros

Dishwasher safe
Unique shape
Durable

Cons

Made with Tritan, not crystal

Many white wines take on their finest form in these all-purpose glasses by Schott Zwiesel, a trusted name in the industry. On a technical level, these glasses are designed with lighter-bodied white wines in mind (think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, and the like), though they would serve any style well. Made in Germany, the glasses’ durability is perhaps their best feature––the innovative material, which is made using patented titanium technology, bridges the gap between superfine glassware and the dishwasher-safe realm. These 12-ounce glasses make for a great gift, especially given the option to monogram for an extra $12.

Best Specialized Red: Luigi Bormioli Atelier Pinot Noir Wine Glass

Amazon

Pros

Very resistant to breakage
Elegant bowl shape

Cons

May be too large for the dishwasher

High tech meets luxury and affordability in Luigi Bormioli’s Atelier collection. Using SON.hyx, the brand’s own patented process, the Italian glassware company has created an impressively shock-resistant, highly brilliant, and crystal-clear dishwasher safe glass that—thanks to laser-cut rims, titanium reinforcement, and seam-free stems—is comparable as many of the more top-shelf options on the market. When stocking Pinot Noir glasses (or glasses for any lighter-style red), this is an excellent place to start. These glasses offer a 21-ounce capacity.

Best Splurge: Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass

Amazon

Pros

Iconic in the wine world
Thin lip and luxurious stem

Cons

Pricey

Ask any professional, and they’ll tell you that Zalto is somewhat of an icon in the world of wine, with the Denk’Art line among its most widely beloved. This Austrian-brand was even one of the first to introduce hand-crafted and mouth-blown functional glasses to the market, according to Shira Tsiddon, sommelier at The Norman Hotel in Tel Aviv. The beauty of these 23-ounce style-specific glasses, she says, is the combination of elegant, clean lines, thoughtful design inspired by the Earth’s tilt angles, and its versatility to function in both a fine dining setting and in a cabinet at home.

“One of the major superiorities about Zalto Denk'Art Wine Glasses lies in how light [they are],” says Tsiddon. “When pouring the wine and holding the glass up, you cannot feel it exists; the glass is nearly transparent, both visually and physically,” she says.“[It] makes the wine taste even more majestic than it usually does.” If you’re looking for something that looks and feels luxurious, these Bordeaux glasses—designed for rich, full-bodied reds—are your best bet.

What Our Editors Say

"These wine glasses may be pricey, but the thin lip, light weight and elegant stem of a Zalto glass show off a great wine to its best advantage." — Kathryn Maier, Editor

Most Unique: Mark Thomas Double Bend Glass

Courtesy of Kneen and Co

Mark Thomas’ glasses are known for their unique profile and sommelier-loved quality. Made with lead-free crystal the glasses can survive years of dishwashing without clouding up. They have a shorter stem, making them more stable to hold and gives you more grip when swirling and aerating.

The two bends on this Bordeaux-style glass mark a perfect tasting pour and the ideal single-glass pour. “I stick to a Bordeaux glass as it's the most malleable of the wine glasses,” says Jonathan Key, the beverage and bar manager of The Preacher's Son and Undercroft. “Bordeaux glasses are meant for your main Bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, etc.) but it's also a great glass for Chardonnay. Bordeaux glasses also work well for a lot of old-world wines like Tuscans and Tempranillos.”

Though they are whisper-thin and special-occasion worthy, pop them in the dishwasher when you’re done with them.

Best Everyday: Riedel Magnum Ouverture

Courtesy of Amazon

While there will always be discourse around what glass is perfect for whites and reds, Riedel’s everyday-ready glass makes a case for sipping everything out of the same glass. It’s got a slender bowl and a thin lip that will showcase tannic reds, effervescent bubbles, fizzy beers, and bright whites equally well. The short stem gives it balance, but is long enough to allow enough room to aerate your wine.

Even though it is crafted from machine-made crystal, the glass feels delicate and elegant enough to upgrade your daily drinking routine (though at this price point, you won’t flinch if you break one).

“The concept of buying varietal specific glasses is antiquated and can be quite overwhelming,” notes Justin Wilson, the director of outlets at SAAM Lounge. “Simply stated, life is simpler with a universal or all-purpose wine glass. A high quality stemmed universal wine glass will accommodate most, if not all, wines across the spectrum.”

It’s not the ideal glass for say, a Left Bank Bordeaux, but for a nightcap or a glass-with-dinner, Riedel’s Ouverture series is an excellent score.

Best Stemless: Viski Stemless Wine Glass

Courtesy of Amazon

For parties or rowdier hangs, stemless glasses are less likely to get knocked over. Viski’s options are a little more elegant than most stemless options on the market, with organic lines and curves inspired by cacti. These affordable options are made with lead-free, super-thin crystal.

“Drinking from stemless has its place,” explains Key. “Typically, in outdoor or just very casual settings, a stemless is acceptable when drinking lower-priced wines. Trust me, I've drunk wine out of coffee mugs, cereal bowls, etc. many times. The glassware does not stop me from having my wine, but there is nothing like having a glass that perfectly fits you and your tastes in wine.” They can also be cleaned and stored more easily than stemware.

Final Verdict

Riedel’s glasses (view at Amazon) are a catch-all option for wine lovers: pick between the brand’s single-varietal glasses, or the more easy, every-day, machine-blown glasses. If you’re opening something special, Zalto’s high-end options (view at Amazon) are bar-none.

What to Look For

Size

Traditionally, large, rounded bowls showcased the more nuanced flavors of a red, while tighter, narrowed bowls are ideal for white varietals. “The smaller the bowl, the harder it is for all of those aromas to escape,” describes Sighel. “Larger bowls allow for more oxygen to come in contact with the wine.”

What size glass is best for you? Well, it depends on what you drink. “It can be overwhelming with all the choices available; I would recommend starting with a few all-purpose glasses since it works for red and whites. Then you can start adding to your collection with more grape variety-specific glasses,” says Benjamin Gutenbrunner, the beverage director of Blume

Durability

If you’re prone to breakage, or if you’re planning to use these glasses every day, opt for a more durable material. Glass is cheaper, but crystal is a stronger material and will last longer. That said, crystal glasses are more costly, and pricey to replace.

If you’re looking for a truly durable glass, Tritan glasses have become increasingly popular material for high-end glassware. The glass-like material is far stronger than crystal or glass, making these wine glasses resistant to bumps and drops.

Material

Stuck between glass, crystal, and plastic? “Comparing glass and crystal durability is the main difference. Crystal is more delicate but is the gold standard for wine glasses. The shape, clarity, and ability to be made very thin all add to the overall quality,’ says Mara Rudzinski, the sommelier at Contento in Harlem

“Hand Blown glasses are much lighter and more fragile than machine-made glasses. They are all unique and one of a kind” describes Justin Wilson, the director of outlets at SAAM Lounge. That said, “To a regular consumer, the machine-made glasses quality is so high right now that most people won’t be able to tell a difference.”

FAQs

How do you clean/care for a wine glass?

“Glasses should be cleaned with hot water or washed with a small amount of neutral soap. I always make sure to rinse out the glasses immediately after use to avoid any staining. At home with some very delicate glasses I will often just clean very well with really hot water,” describes Rudzinski.

Tara Guthrie of San Antonio’s Chase’s Place continues, “If you have lees or stains that have accumulated at the bottom, use a soft scrub brush, avoid trying to scrub the glass with your hands because the crystal could easily break and hurt you. Find a brush with a 16 inch handle and the ability to bend it for use on decanters or easy access to hard-to-reach red wine stains.”

How best to store a wine glass?

“I store all my glasses in a cabinet away from the kitchen,” says Wilson. “You do not want the aromas from cooking to come near the glasses. Also, the right amount of humidity is important, that’s why storing them in a wine cellar isn’t the right spot.”

When it comes to how to store, Guthrie continues, “Thin rimmed, crystal glasses should be stored bowl up to avoid chips and breaks, however, you can store thicker rimmed glassware with the bowl downward.”

On average, how many ounces in a wine glass?

“Typically white wine glasses have a smaller bowl holding around 8 to 10 ounces and the universal glass, which is meant to be your go-to glass for both red and white wine holds a bit closer to 12 to 16 ounces,” describes Rudzinski.

When it comes to serves, Wilson notes that “Traditionally wine by the glass is served as a 6 ounce pour across the industry. Tasting pours or ½ glasses have been popular and may be served as a 2 ounce or 3 ounce pour.”

Do you need different glasses for different wine?

“Different types of glass or crystal are more appropriate for various environments,” describes Diane Clemenhagen of Geraldine’s Austin. “A busy restaurant or bar will need something a bit more durable while your home collection might get less use and can be more delicate. A good rule is the less you use it, the more delicate you can go and vice versa.”

Does your glass need a stem?

Stem versus no-stem is a personal choice however, Rudzinski, notes “While I am not opposed to stemless models of glassware I would always select a wine glass with a stem. The main reason here is keeping the temperature of the wine constant. Additionally, a stem allows for more control to swirl and aerate the wine - which displays more aromas.”

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Céline Bossart's entire journalistic career has been rooted in the world of beverage. Naturally, this involves extensive market research, which translates to a robust glassware collection built over the years.

Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits writer and WSET-trained sommelier with an award-winning restaurant group. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years, including extensive coverage on glassware. She drinks from Riedel’s Ouverture every day, from a Waterford vintage cut crystal when she’s feeling fancy, and a Josephinenhutte when she’s breaking out the good stuff.

The 8 Best Wine Glasses in 2023, According to Experts

For every type of wine drinker out there.

Best Overall: Riedel Vinum Viognier/Chardonnay Glasses

Best for Red Wine: Williams Sonoma Angle Red Wine Glasses

Best for White Wine: Schott Zwiesel Sensa White Wine Glasses

Best Specialized Red: Luigi Bormioli Atelier Pinot Noir Wine Glass

Best Splurge: Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Wine Glass

Most Unique: Mark Thomas Double Bend Glass

Best Everyday: Riedel Magnum Ouverture

Best Stemless: Viski Stemless Wine Glass

Final Verdict

What to Look For

Size

Durability

Material

FAQs

How do you clean/care for a wine glass?

How best to store a wine glass?

On average, how many ounces in a wine glass?

Do you need different glasses for different wine?

Does your glass need a stem?

Why Trust Liquor.com?