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The best wine glasses: a sommelier's picks
You don't need a cupboard of shapes. One good universal glass handles almost every wine. My picks by budget and by how you live: the glass to dream about, the one for every day, and the one that survives anything.
Updated October 2026
Rewritten by Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier
3 min read
Most people own too many kinds of wine glass and not one great one. A well-made universal glass handles whites, reds, rosé and Champagne, and that is where I tell everyone to start. Buy six of one good shape before you buy two of anything else.
What makes a good wine glass
- A thin rim. The thinner the rim, the less you notice the glass and the more you notice the wine.
- A bowl that narrows toward the top. It holds the aromas in, so you can smell the wine, not just the room.
- Room to swirl. A bowl big enough to swirl a normal pour without spilling.
- A long stem. Your hand stays off the bowl, so the wine stays at its temperature.
- Tough enough for how you wash. Be honest about the dishwasher.
My picks
Best overall
Zalto Denk'Art Universal
Mouth-blown in Austria, feather-light, with a rim you barely feel. The glass to dream about, and the one many sommeliers choose. Delicate: hand-wash it.
Best for every day
Schott Zwiesel
Made in the Bavarian Forest since 1872. Its Tritan crystal is lead-free, made with titanium and zirconium, dishwasher-safe and hard to break: fine enough for good wine, tough enough for daily life.
Toughest
Chef & Sommelier Open Up Universal Tasting
French, made with restaurants in mind, in a glass material called Kwarx that keeps its shine through years of washing. The glass for parties, busy kitchens and anyone who breaks glasses.
For grape-specific shapes
Riedel
The Austrian family company that made grape-specific glasses famous. If you love one grape above all, a Riedel shape made for it is a beautiful gift. Machine-made ranges such as Veloce keep the price friendly.
Side by side
| Glass | Made | Strength | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zalto Universal | Mouth-blown, Austria | Delicate | Premium | Wine lovers who hand-wash |
| Schott Zwiesel | Machine-made, Germany | Strong, dishwasher-safe | Mid-range | Everyday and dinner parties |
| Chef & Sommelier Open Up | Machine-made, France | Very strong | Value | Busy homes and restaurants |
| Riedel Veloce | Machine-made | Good | Mid-range | One favourite grape |
- Zalto Universal
- MadeMouth-blown, Austria
- StrengthDelicate
- PricePremium
- Best forWine lovers who hand-wash
- Schott Zwiesel
- MadeMachine-made, Germany
- StrengthStrong, dishwasher-safe
- PriceMid-range
- Best forEveryday and dinner parties
- Chef & Sommelier Open Up
- MadeMachine-made, France
- StrengthVery strong
- PriceValue
- Best forBusy homes and restaurants
- Riedel Veloce
- MadeMachine-made
- StrengthGood
- PriceMid-range
- Best forOne favourite grape
Champagne: skip the flute
Pour Champagne and other good sparkling wine into your universal glass, about a third full. The bubbles last, and the aromas finally have room. Most sommeliers serve it this way now. Keep flutes for a toast, not for tasting.
Go deeper
- Zalto glasses: Universal, Bordeaux, Burgundy or Balance?
- Chef & Sommelier wine glasses: which ones to buy
- Universal Wine Glasses, my guide site with reviews of every major universal glass
Questions people ask
What is the best wine glass for all wines?
A universal glass. The Zalto Universal is the finest; Chef & Sommelier's Open Up Universal Tasting is the toughest and best value.
Do red and white wines need different glasses?
Not necessarily. One good universal shape works for both, and for rosé and sparkling too. Specific shapes are a pleasure, not a need.
Are expensive wine glasses worth it?
With good wine, a thin rim and a well-shaped bowl make a difference you notice. For everyday drinking, a good machine-made glass is enough.
How many wine glasses should I own?
Start with six of one universal glass. Add a specific shape only when you know you need it.
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