The Best Wine Glasses of 2024, According to Our Test Kitchen

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Toast to the best of the year with this top-tier glassware.

Whether you’re a nightly wine drinker or a casual imbiber, one thing is certain: A good wine glass is essential. While wine glasses sometimes take a backseat to the best and the brightest bottles, the wine you sip is just as crucial as the glassware you serve it in. An ideal glass helps the wine’s aromas expand, allowing you to savor each bottle's distinct flavors. Essentially, the better the glassware, the better the wine-drinking experience.

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up the best red, white, sparkling and universal wine glasses on the market and enlisted a team of wine aficionados to put them to the test. Read on for our top picks that will up the ante on all your wine and entertaining needs.

Our Wine Glass Recommendations

• Best Universal Wine Glass: Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 - Universal

• Also Great: Glasvin Universal Wine Glass

• Best Value Wine Glass: Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glass

• Best Splurge Wine Glass: Zalto Denk’Art Universal Wine Glass

• Best Glass for White Wine: Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Perfect Wine Glass

• Best Glass for Red Wine: Made In Red Wine Glasses

• Best Wine Glass for Bubbles: Schott Zwiesel Verbelle Wine Glasses

• Best Stemless Wine Glass: Glasvin The Stemless

• Also Great, Stemless Wine Glass: Zweisel Glas Prizma Stemless Wine Glass

Best Universal Wine Glass: Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 - Universal

$205 at Amazon

$180 at us.josephinen.com

What we like: A sophisticated mouth-blown glass large enough to aerate red and white wines.

What to know: At over $100 each, these glasses fall toward the top of the price range.

Designed by renowned Austrian glassmaker Kurt Josef Zalto, these handmade, mouth-blown glasses scored sky-high marks across the board. We loved the unique, curved shape of the glass, as well as its delicate and thoughtful design. The slightly tapered rim allows the aromas of the wine to develop in the glass, and the bowl boasts an 18.6-ounce capacity, which provides plenty of surface area to aerate the wine quickly.

We also loved that the Josephine glass is well-balanced and comfortable to hold. It feels elegant in the hand and is easy to swirl—an instant conversation piece.

These glasses worked well with every wine varietal we tried, and they can even accommodate large and robust wines like Cabernet and Syrah. This medium-weight glass is technically dishwasher-safe, although the manufacturer recommends hand-washing for best results. The price point may feel a bit steep, but based on its performance, we think it’s well worth the money.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 18.6 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Also Great: Glasvin Universal Wine Glass

$79 at Food52

$80 at Wine.com

What we like: An affordable, versatile hand-blown glass that works with all types of wine.

What to know: Feels a little top-heavy.

Crafted from lead-free crystal, this set of two feather-light glasses impressed us with its value and performance. Because the set is hand-blown at extremely high temperatures, it’s dishwasher-safe, although the brand advises that you load it into the dishwasher carefully to avoid breakage. Glasses measure 9.25 inches high, which should fit comfortably within most kitchen cabinets.

We think this glass makes a solid universal pick, as it performed well across all varietals. It features a smooth, thin lip that makes for a pleasant sipping experience, and we could taste the floral elements of each wine we put into the glass.

One thing to note, though, is that this glass has a noticeably wide base compared to the small size of the bowl, and it felt a bit top-heavy in our tests. Also, given its delicate and spindly design, holding this glass by the stem is not particularly comfortable. We recommend holding the glass by the base for a more balanced feel.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16.9 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Value Wine Glass: Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glass

$68 at Amazon

$68 at Macy's

What we like: An attractive and well-made glass set at a competitive price.

What to know: Better suited for reds and sparkling wines than whites.

One of the first things we noticed about the Gabriel-Glas StandArt glass was its beautiful bell shape. This elegant glass has a broad diameter at the base and a conical shape at the top, which is designed to help concentrate the wine’s aromas.

When we tested this glass, we found it extremely comfortable to sip and hold. Although the stem is a bit short, we thought this provided great balance and prevented the glass from being too top-heavy. While the glass appears to be delicate, it’s chip-resistant, dishwasher-safe and surprisingly sturdy. It comes as a set of two glasses, packaged in a sturdy gift box that you can repurpose for storage.

In our tests, sparkling wines and reds worked particularly well with this glass, benefiting from the shape of the glass and bowl. However, some may find the shape more conducive to reds and sparkling wines than white wines, which may lose some of their pep in a large-bowled vessel.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Splurge Wine Glass: Zalto Denk’Art Universal Wine Glass

$155 at Amazon

$156 at Wine Enthusiast

What we like: An elegant glass that brings out the aromas and palates of all wines.

What to know: One of the most expensive glasses we tested, this may be best for serious collectors.

If price were not a factor, we would choose this Zalto glass over nearly all others. This glass is the definition of elegance. The thin, beadless rim is comfortable to drink from, and the lightweight design allowed us to really feel the weight of the wine while holding the glass in our tests.

We found the Zalto to be excellent for every kind of wine we put in it, offering up balanced drinking experiences on both the nose and palate.

While this glass felt nice in hand, the stem is quite thin, and we recommend handling it carefully to avoid breakage. Additionally, the high price point can be prohibitive for some. We think the Zalto may be a better fit for serious oenophiles than everyday wine drinkers.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 17.9 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Glass for White Wine: Richard Brendon The Perfect Wine Glass

$135 at Food52

$135 at Saks Fifth Avenue

What we like: A mouth-blown, dishwasher-safe glass with a small, thin shape that’s perfect for white wines.

What to know: Reds and sparkling wines don’t shine as brightly in this glass.

Designed in collaboration with wine expert and Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, this mouth-blown glass was intended as an all-purpose wine glass. However, given its smaller size and narrow shape, we found that this dainty glass performed best with white wines. The tulip-shaped bowl and gently tapered top favor crisp, clean whites, although aromatic whites also play nicely in this glass.

Although the glass is thin, it felt durable in our tests, and despite being a little top-heavy, the glass is comfortable to hold. The shape of the bowl also lends itself well when tilting the glass on its side to assess the clarity of the wine.

Given its petite size, we did think the $64-per-glass price tag was a little steep. But if you’re a white wine connoisseur, this glass can help enhance the bouquet of any bottle you’re sipping.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: N/A | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Glass for Red Wine: Made In Red Wine Glasses

$99 at madeincookware.com

What we like: A high-value set of glasses shaped specifically for red wines.

What to know: Fragile-feeling stems may be prone to breakage.

At under $20 per glass, we were impressed with the value and versatility of this Made In glass set when we put them to the test. These glasses have a wide bowl and tapered top, making them ideal for rich red grape varieties that require some aeration. With a 23.75-ounce capacity, there’s plenty of room for swirling, and testers generally found that these glasses felt high-quality and elegant.

One downside to these high-value glasses, however, is the stems. Although billed as titanium-reinforced, the stems are extremely thin and may break when polished. That being said, we found the glasses comfortable to hold despite the delicate stems.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 23.75 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Wine Glass for Bubbles: Schott Zwiesel Verbelle Wine Glasses - Universal Glass

$96 at Amazon

$96 at Food52

What we like: Strong and durable glassware that helps bring out the best aromas in sparkling wine.

What to know: These wine glasses are machine-produced.

While these Schott Zwiesel glasses are said to be “universal,” we found them much more appropriate for sparkling wines than for reds or whites. The gently tapered shape allows sparkling wines to aromatize, keeping the bubbles intact since there’s less surface area.

While the lip of the glass is thick, it’s still comfortable to drink from, and we found that it doesn’t detract from the tasting experience of the wine. These glasses also clock in at well under $20 per glass and are available as a set of six, meaning you can stock your home bar for a sparkling celebration without spending too much.

Titanium-infused crystal makes this glassware extra strong, an added benefit for those who intend to use this set in the dishwasher. One caveat: These are not mouth-blown, so the glass is perceptibly thicker than some other glasses we tested. Still, we think this durable set is worth owning for those everyday—and even bespoke—bottles of bubbly.

Material: Tritan crystal glass | Capacity: 11.8 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Stemless Wine Glass: Glasvin The Stemless

$50 at glas.vin

$50 at Food52

What we like: These lightweight yet sturdy stemless glasses work beautifully with red and white wines alike.

What to know: The rims on these glasses are very thin, so you’ll want to handle them with care.

If you prefer to sip your vino sans stem, these hand-blown stemless glasses from Glasvin make a great choice. Each glass features a gently tapered design with a slightly narrow opening, and we initially thought they looked like white wine glasses. However, when we tried them out, we found that they work just as well for lighter reds as they do for whites.

While these glasses feel lightweight in hand, we found them to be quite sturdy. The size of the mouth gave plenty of room for the wine to breathe, allowing us to fully absorb the aromas and flavors.

The Glasvin Stemless holds up to 16.9 oz. of wine and is dishwasher-safe. However, we’ll note that the glass is extremely thin, so you’ll want to exercise caution when loading and unloading these from the dishwasher. You’ll also want to handle them with care when drinking from them, and the manufacturer specifically states that “these glasses are made for wine—no ice cubes, please.”

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16.9 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Also Great, Stemless Wine Glass: Zweisel Glas Prizma Stemless Wine Glass

$106 at birchlane.com

What we like: The unique, ribbed design of these glasses makes them easy to grip while you sip.

What to know: These glasses are better suited for white wine than red.

One of the first things we noticed about these Zweisel Glas Prizma stemless glasses is their slightly raised, ribbed pattern. While this lends a light-refracting quality to the glasses and gives them an attractive, vintage-inspired look, it also makes them easier to grip in the hand than a standard smooth glass. (Aesthetically pleasing and functional? Sign us up.)

These glasses felt very balanced and comfortable in the hand, and they were just as comfortable to drink from. Their smaller size and shape were more suited to white wines than reds, and we think they’d be perfect for seltzers and other sparkling beverages, as well.

These petite-yet-sturdy Zwiesel glasses are made of Tritan crystal, meaning they’re resistant to chips, scratches and breaks, and they’re also dishwasher safe. While the $119 price point may seem a little steep, these glasses are sold in sets of six, making them an approachable $20 per glass.

Material: Tritan crystal glass | Capacity: 12.75 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The Bottom Line: The Best Wine Glasses

Our top overall pick, the Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 (view at Amazon), is a versatile and elegant glass that brings out the best qualities in red, white and sparkling wines. We also loved the Glasvin Universal Wine Glass (view at Food52), a slightly more affordable mouth-blown glass that is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality glass at a more approachable price point.

Choosing a Wine Glass

Consider the Wine Glass's Capacity and Height

When shopping for a wine glass, size definitely matters. However, much of this will come down to personal preference and the size and shape of your cabinets. If you’re considering long-stemmed glassware, make sure your cabinets have shelves that can accommodate tall glasses. By the same token, large-bowled glasses take up more storage space, so you may want to consider this if you operate under tight kitchen quarters. Wine drinkers who prefer to swirl their wine for aeration should look for glasses with larger capacity, which will offer more opportunities to “play” with their wine as they drink.

Quality and Design Make a Difference

The majority of high-end glassware is produced from lead-free crystal, and the highest-quality glassware is mouth-blown rather than machine-processed. The design of the glass can help promote the development of certain aromas, particularly in delicate or sparkling wines, so if you favor these types of bottles, this may be important to consider. Thinner glass, while more delicate and prone to breakage, often produces a better drinking experience that enhances the wine.

Is a Dishwasher-Safe Glass a Must?

For fuss-free cleanup, consider looking for glassware that you can put in the dishwasher. Machine-produced glassware is more durable than mouth-blown but is also thicker, which can mute the wine-drinking experience. While durability can extend the life of your wine glasses, it can also dampen the ability of your glassware to showcase your wine, so keep this in mind when choosing your glass.

Versatility and Varietals

Glasses are available in both varietally specific shapes and more universal versions. But unless you have limitless space and a cellar representing all the grapes and regions of the world, you may be better off investing in a universal set of glasses that can be used for reds, whites and sparkling wines alike.

Our Wine Glass Tests

We based these rankings on a thorough analysis and test of 22 prominent wine glasses on the market. We enlisted a team of testers, including sommeliers, food writers and seasoned product reviewers, to see how each glass stacks up compared to the rest. We conducted several rounds of testing in our lab, in which we were asked to try out up to six glasses with up to four pours in each. We tasted one red, one white and one sparkling wine in each glass. We evaluated the durability and value of each wine glass, as well as the size and how it impacted aroma and flavor. After reviewing the results of our testing, we chose the top-performing glasses across multiple categories to complete our list of recommendations.

We Also Considered

In addition to the wine glasses included in this roundup, we tested some others that didn’t quite make the cut. Here are some that we considered:

Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Wine Glasses ($45 at Amazon): While this glass was affordable and approachable, we found it underperformed compared to the other contenders in the universal wine glass category.

Wine Enthusiast Fleur Handblown Universal Wine Glasses ($60 at Wine Enthusiast): Although our testers did like this glass, its quirky design, with its long stem and divot in the base of its bowl, made it too niche for us to consider for a universal glass.

Riedel Vinum Zinfandel/Riesling/Chianti Glasses ($79 at Amazon): Our testers felt that this glass was limited by its petite size, which makes it less versatile than others within the same category.

Riedel Wine Friendly Magnum Glass ($45 at Amazon): These oversized glasses can be a nice addition to a collection, but during our testing, they fell short in terms of size, design and versatility.

Zwiesel Glas Pure Dancing Tumbler ($26 at Amazon): These glasses felt balanced and comfortable to hold, but the rim was noticeably thick when we sipped our wine. We think these glasses are more equipped for whiskey on the rocks than wine.

Common Questions

What’s the best way to clean wine glasses?

Many wine glasses—most of the glasses recommended in this guide, in fact—are dishwasher-safe, so that can often be your first line of defense. Use the top rack of the dishwasher for your wine glasses, and space them out appropriately before starting the cycle. When they’re finished washing, dry them with microfiber towels to prevent spotting and streaking.

If you wash your wine glasses by hand, gently hold the glass by the bowl while you clean with a sponge and dry with a microfiber towel.

The best way to remove water spots is to hold your glasses over hot steam and polish them.

Should I buy varietal-specific wine glasses?

Unless you have an extremely deep collection and ample storage space, there’s no need for varietally specific wine glasses. Universal glasses work very well to help excellent bottles find their best expressions of self.

Are thin wine glasses really better? If so, why?

When wine drinkers sip from thin glassware, there is less interference between the palate and the wine itself. It’s a clearer, truer wine-drinking experience, which is why so many sommeliers prefer thin wine glasses. However, these glasses—many of which are mouth-blown—can also be much more delicate, making them both more expensive and more prone to breakage.

What is the best way to hold a wine glass?

Any sommelier will tell you that you should never, ever hold a wing glass by the bowl. Cradling the glass in your hand will warm the contents, which can alter the flavors of your wine (especially disastrous for whites and sparkling varieties). It's best to grip your wine glass by the stem to ensure your wine is enjoyed at its intended temperature. There's also a practical element to this advice: You avoid marring the glasses with fingerprints!

Our Trusted Expertise

Our writer, Hannah Selinger, is a James Beard Award-nominated writer who has written about food and drinks for both local and national publications since 2015. A Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Hannah has worked for some of New York’s top restaurant groups.

This article was edited and updated by Kayleigh Drake, a former EatingWell associate commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, Simply Recipes and The Spruce Eats.

Read the original article on Eating Well.