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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.” Though they are whisper-thin and special-occasion worthy, pop them in the dishwasher when you’re done with them. 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.” Ahead, discover all the winners and a thorough breakdown of our testing methods. We’ve also included a primer on the merits of different wine glass shapes. Best All-Around Wine Glass: Zalto
The shape of the glass will affect the taste of the wine. The top of the glass should curve inward, concentrating the aromas; this, in turn, enhances the flavor of the wine. Red wine glasses should have a larger bowl than white since a bigger bowl allows for the red's bolder aromas and flavors to emerge and increases the rate of oxidation, which smooths the complex flavors. White wines require a smaller bowl to maintain the cooler temperature. Champagne glasses are tall and narrow with long stems to retain carbonation and prevent your hand from heating up the sparkling wine. 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. There are a variety of ways to store your wine glasses, but where you store them is also important. “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.”
How We Tested the Wine Glasses
This glass won our product test of the best wine glasses and is widely considered the gold standard of glassware by wine connoisseurs and professionals alike—it’s definitely worth the splurge. Slightly Less Money but Still Great: Riedel Veritas 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 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. 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. 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.
Riedel’s VINUM Viognier/Chardonnay Glass is versatile, lightweight, and durable but elegant looking—and at an accessible price point. If you’re looking for something special, the Zalto Denk'Art Bordeaux Glass is an industry favorite and won't disappoint. Okay, so, it’s no Zalto, but the Riedel Veritas is half the cost and was a consistent runner-up in test after test. This glass is still fragile thanks to a spindly stem the company has become known for, but the leaded crystal has a slightly sturdier construction than the Zalto while still boasting a narrow rim that feels luxurious and comfortable for sipping. 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 half glasses have been popular and may be served as a 2-ounce or 3-ounce pour.” 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 of glassware. She drinks from Riedel’s Ouverture every day, a Waterford vintage cut crystal when she’s feeling fancy, and a Josephinenhutte when she’s breaking out the good stuff. Material: Hand-blown crystal | Capacity: 25.9 ounces | Dimensions (HxW): 9.1 x 4.3 inches | Dishwasher safe: Yes
Slightly Less Money but Still Great: Riedel Veritas
Megan Soll is the Associate Editorial Director for Commerce on Food & Wine and has a WSET Level 1 Award in Wine and Spirits Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 8.1 ounces | Dimensions (HxW): 8.9 x 2.7 inches | Dishwasher safe: Yes 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. In terms of shape, I recommend buying one set of white glasses and one set of red (Burgundy are more useful than Bordeaux) glasses. Although Zalto has challenges because it is so delicate and thin, the absolute pleasure and improvement of each glass is worth every moment of stress…but only if you can handle being overly cautious with the glass. My advice: Get one or two Zalto Burgundy glasses for special occasions and buy the Riedel Veritas or Spiegelau Vino Grande for your everyday enjoyment. 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.
Hand Blown glasses are much lighter and more fragile than machine-made glasses. They are all unique and one of a kind,” describesJustin 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.” 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. 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. Additional reporting was done by Amina Lake Abdelrahman, a commerce editor, and Laura Denby, a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits 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.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.”
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