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The best wine glasses can be tough to find—there are so many options out there. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a micro-gathering, or an elaborate meal for two, having the right thing to drink and the glasses to pair with it can be an important part of the planning process. You’ve set up the most exquisite tablescape and you’ve put up your holiday decor, so, if wine is part of the equation, it’s not the time to skimp.
The wine-drinking experience has many elements if you think about it. From the stemware and the variety of wine to choosing the right glassware (do you really need a separate white wine glass and red wine glasses?), there are a lot of decisions to be made. Having a glass of wine can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be.
In order to set you up for success and ease in the holiday party strategizing, we reached out to a handful of wine experts—from master sommeliers to wine shop owners—to get their top choice in glassware and what they’re excited to drink right now. There’s rosé and Pinot Noir, glasses with stems and not, canned wine, and even a nonalcoholic option, so stock up and get ready for a lot of cheers-ing.
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“My favorite glass is from handblown glass extraordinaire, Kurt Josef Zalto: the Josephinen Hütte Josephine No. 3 Red, and I’m drinking Soléna Estate’s Domaine Danielle Laurent Pinot Noir from 2019. The high elevation, single-vineyard Williamette Valley Pinot Noir is taken to new heights under the masterful hand of Soléna’s winemaker—Laurent Montalieu.”—André Mack, sommelier, winemaker, and author
“A friend of mine pulled these glasses out the other day to pour the Escoda-Sanahuja Nas del Gegant Rosado 2020 I’d brought over for an impromptu apéro. I love these glasses because they feel chic, are a total joy to drink out of, and the price point can’t be matched. These are technically port glasses, which allowed the aromatics of Escoda’s Rosado (Trepat and Garnacha) to jump out of the glass.”—Daryl Nuhn, sommelier and partner at Peoples Wine
“My favorite wine is Avaline Red, a blend of Grenache and Syrah made with organic grapes and without unnecessary extras by our partner, EthicDrinks. From the use of recyclable packaging to sustainable transportation methods, they are committed to respecting and protecting nature in every aspect of the winemaking process. I love to pair our red with a hearty bowl of cheesy pasta and an elegant, stemless wine glass from Nude.”—Cameron Diaz, cofounder of Avaline
“I love Riedel glasses. Glassware is important, but I don’t think you need 10 different glasses—just getting one or two quality glasses will do the trick. When it comes to selecting wines, I defer to the Vivino community—all 54 million of them. They rate their favorite bottles with emotion, metaphor, and, quite often, humor, proving that there is no ‘right’ way to talk about wine. We just announced the Vivino Community Awards, which name the best wines of 2021 as determined by the wisdom of the crowd. They won’t be happy I’m sharing this wine because it’s one of our best-kept secrets. The Barbanera Gigino 80 Anniversario, a ‘most miraculously underpriced wine,’ has thousands of five-star reviews on Vivino with some users singing its praises for taste, calling it an exquisite fruit bomb with a velvety texture and notes of vanilla and chocolate.”—Heini Zachariassen, founder of Vivino
“This is hardly breaking new ground as it’s a longtime sommelier favorite, but it’s hard to beat the Zalto Universal with its sleek lines, light weight, and versatility. You don’t really need anything else, but my most-used glass lately is the Universal from Glasvin, a startup offering a very similar handblown glass at a more affordable price point. Like the Zalto, the Glasvin works well with any type of wine, feels beautiful in your hands, looks beautiful on the table, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Even better, the founder is a longtime Acid League Wine Proxies subscriber, so these glasses are sure to perform, whether you’re drinking Acid League’s nonalcoholic Sauvage, a crisp and herbal white, or Velvet, a smooth and elegant red with notes of coffee and chocolate.”—Charlie Friedmann, head of Wine Proxies at Acid League
“The Riedel Vinum Cabernet Glasses are my favorite for pouring a glass (or two!) of our Fresh Vine Wine Cabernet Sauvignon. The glasses are generously sized and enhance the delicious aromas of blackberry pie and dark cherry and yummy flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, and baker’s chocolate.”—Nina Dobrev, co-owner of Fresh Vine Wine
“There is nothing quite like our Fresh Vine Wine Chardonnay sipped from a Riedel Vinum Chardonnay Glass. It’s the full experience that really brings out our blend’s notes of ripe pear, green apple, lychee, hazelnut, and toasty oak. A pro tip I learned from our winemaker, Jamey Whetstone—wash these glasses by hand, as they tend to be a bit delicate for the dishwasher.”—Julianne Hough, co-owner of Fresh Vine Wine
“I have always used the classic Chardonnay/Viognier Riedel stem for rosé because the shape highlights the aromatics of the wine and it is an incredibly versatile glass to have around for refreshing whites and rosés. I also firmly believe that rosé is as much a winter wine as a summer wine. I’m currently loving this Château Pradeaux, “Vesprée” Rosé, which is the perfect transitional bottle with tons of complexity and concentration fit for this cooler part of the year. Hauntingly complex aromatics of strawberry, melon rind, quince paste, warm spice, and a touch of lees lead to an expansive, richly textured palate laden with flavors of raspberry blossom, watermelon rind, and preserved red fruit. The wine’s weightiness remains balanced by its delicate mineral component and ample amounts of acidity, all of which is balanced out perfectly in a classic Chardonnay glass.”—Ian Cauble, master sommelier and founder of SommSelect
“I love collecting vintage dishware, and these affordable fluted wine glasses contain a sense of nostalgia deserving of a poetic pour such as this Greek white wine, Mister Helios, from the Kalogris winery. Made from the Moschofilero grape, this wine has a delicate, rosewater-like quality that pairs beautifully with the fine floral design of the glass.”—Cerise Zelenetz, owner of Cherry on Top
“I’ve lived in nine apartments over eight years throughout New York City and Brooklyn, and the only full set of wine glasses still standing are my Riedel Stemless Cabernet/Merlot glasses. They are also surprisingly beautiful and delicate for being so durable. What I’m drinking: I picked up a Luberri Orlegi Rioja last year because I was curious and it was only $15. Turned out to be a fantastic wine that continues to find its way into my glass.”—G.A. Vellios, cofounder of Drink Ditto
“My daily drivers are my Schott Zwiesel Beaujolais glasses. They’re beautiful, durable, and have been an unbreakable companion for over five years. What I’m drinking this holiday: I recently had Enric Soler’s Nun Vinya dels Taus. It is an amazing wine from Catalonia that instantly became a favorite of mine that I hope to add to my ‘special occasion’ rotation for years to come.”—Jake Schlessinger, cofounder of Drink Ditto
More Wine Glasses We Love
There are so many wine glasses out there, so if none of the expert recommendations caught your eye, never fear. If you’re a new wine enthusiast, consider looking into an all-purpose wine glass—also referred to as a universal wine glass. This genre of glasses is best for everyday use and can house different wine varieties. The best part about this is you can forget about stocking up on a burgundy wine glass set or the right decanter or a special vessel for that bottle of Bordeaux or Burgundy or sparkling wine someone brought to dinner. The biggest thing you’ll want to know is if your glasses require a handwash or are dishwasher-safe.
If you fancy yourself an educated wine drinker, have some fun with special glasses (there are some pretty stunning champagne flutes and crystal wine glasses out there). Depending on the bottle of wine, the bowl size and shape of the glass will differ. And the further you dig into wine varieties, keep an eye on the recommended temperature of the wine. While this won’t impact your glass choice, it will determine if it needs some time to air out before hitting the glass. There are even some glasses out there that amplify the wine’s aroma.
All of this being said, sometimes all you need is a wine glass that makes you smile. Read on for our top picks and get that wine-tasting going.
The Great All-Purpose Wine Glass Set
If you’re after high-quality all-purpose wine glasses, this set will get the job done. Champagne glass? Sure! Red wine? Done. White wine? Good to go. If you often have groups crowding around your dinner table, having a set of standard glasses like this will make life a lot easier.
Design-Forward (and Great for Hot Drinks)
This glass set has a punch of personality, thanks to a double-wall design that emerges when you pour in your wine of choice. And when you’re ready to switch it up, this glass will also keep your hot drinks hot (mulled wine, anyone?).
Verre Rouge Wine Glass
You won’t want to use any other glass, ever, after seeing this one in action. Unlike many other wine glasses where the wine stays put in the bowl of the glass, this design has an open stem and base. When you pour some red wine, the effect is surprisingly beautiful. It also makes for a heavier pour.
Tint Wine Glasses, Set of 2
Available in three colors and a crystal-clear option, this wine glass is “barely there” in the best way possible.
Estelle Gray Wine Glass Set
Gray is not a color you usually see in a wine glass. But the subtle hue of these glasses turns them into a work of art when they aren’t in use. Handwash only, these high-end vessels will make you feel like the fanciest person in the room.
