This $68 Somm-Approved Wine Glass Will Transform Your $10 Bottle

Best Overall

Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses

View On Amazon $68 View On Wine.com $68 View On Macy's $68

Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Versatility
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

The Austrians know wine glasses, and this handsome set from Gabriel-Glas is living proof. Crafted in a classic and universal style, these well-apportioned stems will lend a striking and inviting air to your next classy gathering.

With its timeless design and wide bowl, the glass is ideal for white or red wines (and sparkling too, for that matter), as the aesthetic presentation of the wine is attractive and the aromatics are rich and pleasing. We found that delicate aromatics opened up a bit more after swirling, allowing us to experience more of the wine characteristics.

Visually, the glass is a little shorter than some, and we found it to be a bit more bottom-heavy than some of the pricier glasses in our lineup. However, the shorter height and the slightly thicker stem give it a feeling of sturdiness, and we felt that we'd be able to be comfortable using these glasses frequently without fear of breakage. These are also offered as a handsomely packaged set of six, if you're looking for the perfect gift. The Gabriel-Glas StandArt stems are perfect for any wine lover, whether novice or expert.

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

Best Budget

Williams Sonoma Angle Red Wine Glasses

View On Williams-Sonoma $7

Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4.5/5
• Versatility
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

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.

While we loved the glass's handsome appearance, we did notice that it felt a little more economy-level upon close inspection. The lip of the glass was a bit thicker than some of the pricier glasses in our lineup, and the feel in the hand conveyed a certain bulkiness. We appreciated, however, how durable it felt, and we'd be comfortable using the Angle at a party or in some other context where breakage might be a concern.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 22 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for White Wine

Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson The Perfect Wine Glass

View On Food52 $98 View On Bloomingdales $135 View On Richardbrendon.com

Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4/5
• Versatility
  3/5
• Durability
  4.5/5

Many of the world's finest white wines are all about precision and elegance—and those also happen to be two key attributes of "The Perfect Wine Glass" from designer Richard Brendon and renowned wine critic Jancis Robinson. Featuring a tall, thin profile and crafted from gorgeous hand-blown crystal, this glass is an excellent vessel for most white wines. We appreciated its beadless rim and base, and we loved how dainty it felt in the hand. That said, we did find ourselves a little nervous about breaking it!

Top points were awarded for its aesthetics, and we liked the fact that the base is the same width as the bell, which is always a sound design choice in a quality wine glass. We also appreciated the way the glass accentuated the olfactory notes of white wine in particular, with its more narrow design probably more suited for pretty whites than for robust reds. While this isn't a cheap glass, it will surely be a hit with anyone whose wine habits skew toward the white side of things.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 4.3 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Red Wine

Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glass

View On Amazon $205 View On Josephinen.com

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Versatility
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5

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.

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.

Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 27 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Pros

Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Wine Glass

View On Amazon $205 View On Josephinen.com

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Versatility
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5

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.

It's not just the striking shape that makes this glass professional grade—it's also crafted from hand-blown lead-free crystal, which gives it a feel that's dainty yet sturdy, complimented by excellent balance. We also thought the size was ideal for a universal glass, and we found ourselves referring to it as the "Goldilocks glass" in our lineup: not too big, not too small, just right. Overall, we found the No. 2 to be a high-end glass that begs for high-end wines.

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

Best Set

Zwiesel Glas Verbelle Wine Glasses

View On Amazon $128 View On Williams-Sonoma $16 View On West Elm $96

Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4/5
• Versatility
  4/5
• Durability
  4.8/5

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.

White and red wines performed well in this glass, although we observed that its narrow profile makes swirling a little difficult, so it's not as ideal for full aeration as some of the larger options we tried. That said, despite being a universal glass, it's also an excellent option for sparkling wine. The thinner orientation offers great visuals of the bubbles, and the smaller surface area means that not too much carbonation is lost as the wine sits. For any wine you plan to pour for friends at home—especially bubbly!—the Verbelle set is a great option.

Material: Tritan crystal glass | Capacity: 16.5 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Stemless

Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/Merlot

View On Amazon $57 View On Wayfair $15 View On Walmart $59

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

The Riedel Cabernet/Merlot glass achieves the best one-size-fits-all when needing a stemless option. Whether it was a luxurious Rioja or a glass of bubbles, this glass made each wine express its best characteristics when we tested it. And the best part was the shape wasn't too large for smaller hands, something that can be an issue in the stemless category.

While these are man-made for consistency, they are made from non-leaded glasses and are much studier than Riedel's stemmed wine glasses. They're great for everyday use, and very inexpensive for great wine glasses.

Material: Machine-made crystal | Capacity: 21.1 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes