The Best Red Wine Glasses

JBHO Italian Style Bordeaux Wine Glasses (Set of 2 or 4)

Pamper Your Palette

The ultra-thin design and the cold-cut lip of these handblown glasses can enhance the flavor of your favorite red wines.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Of course, we can drink wine out of any glass, but there’s something special about having the perfect wine glasses on hand. And this goes double if you or your guests are wine connoisseurs. Once you’ve gotten used to the ritual of “pour, aerate, swirl, sniff,” it’s hard to break it — no matter how cheap your wine is. If you’re looking for a set of glasses that are dressed to impress while still being good at their job, then stock up your cupboards with this beautiful set of Bordeaux glasses by JBHO. Handblown using 23 procedures to create a smooth lip and ultra-thin rim, you’ll immediately feel the lighter, more delicate nature of these 100% glass goblets, and so will your tongue.

Pros:

• Lead-free, premium crystal glass
• Ultra-clear design
• Dishwasher safe

Cons:

• Because they’re handblown, there may be slight imperfections in the glass, including a bubble or two

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Red Wine Glass

Vintage Villa Vibes

Tall, tapered, and made of Tritan-crystal, these elegant glasses look and feel iconic.

Best Vintage Look

Find on Amazon

Nothing beats the feeling of that first glass of wine on a fancy dinner out. And this is especially true as those dinners get rarer and rarer — even if we hire a babysitter, sometimes we’re just too tired. Thankfully, with the right tools, we can treat ourselves even when we’re at home. Transport yourself to a little restaurant in the French countryside in the ’50s with these vintage red wine glasses by Schott Zwiesel. These lead-free Tritan-crystal tapered glasses have personality in their shape and elegance in their construction. We’re sure that these glasses will look perfect on any dinner table, be it the one in your dining room or the one in your memories.

Pros:

• Choose between different wine designs (Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Cabernet)
• Lightweight but durable
• Great customer service in case of a damaged shipment

Cons:

• Some styles are too big for the dishwasher

Paksh Novelty Italian Red Wine Glasses (Set of 4)

The Right Look and Feel

These Italian-crafted wine glasses pair perfectly with most red wines and most occasions.

Best Classic Look

Find on Amazon

While many countries are known for their delectable wine production, Italy seems to top the list time and time again. From its wide assortment of vintage to the number of wineries open to the public, Italy is the classic wine country, and this four-piece set from Paksh Novelty lives up to the hype. Made in Parma, this four-piece Italian glass set is made from Star Glass instead of crystal, resulting in a lightweight, elegant look. And these glasses don’t just look the part — the stout bulb atop a thin stem and stable base feels comfortable in your hand while also adding the perfect amount of aeration to different types of red wines.

Pros:

• Made in Parma, Italy
• XLT Treatment finish prevents thin stem breakage
• Great cost value

Cons:

• Glass is thicker than pictures depict
• Can shatter easily

C Crest Wine Glasses (Set of 8)

Vintage at a Value

Get this set of eight artfully angled, durable wine glasses for half the cost of some other brands.

Best on a Budget

Find on Amazon

Though we have a few upscale bottles on reserve for special guests, we’ll admit to a secret stash of wine that does the trick without breaking the bank. Why shouldn’t this approach apply to your glasses as well? Keep your super thin, expensive stemware available for the occasional dinner party, but reserve weekday sipping for an affordable, bulk set like this one by C Crest. Striking the perfect balance between “ooh la la” and ordinary, these wine glasses are thin enough to feel good in your hand while still being thick enough to resist breakage in the sink or dishwasher.

Pros:

• Elegant shape
• Super durable
• Chip- and scratch-resistant design

Cons:

• Only hold 12 oz
• Glass base may be wobbly

Riedel Cabernet / Merlot Tumbler (Set of 4)

More Uses, Less Breakage

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, these crystal stemless tumblers take the stress out of drinking wine.

Best Stemless Glass

Find on Amazon

As much as we love delicate stemware in our cabinets, the fact that it’s often paired with alcohol is a recipe for shattered glass if we’ve ever seen one. And that especially cuts when you’ve invested in finer chalices. That’s why we like to stock up on a few tumblers like this fine crystal set by Riedel. Giving you more grip while sipping, stemless wine glasses are also less likely to break in the dishwasher. And they’re super versatile, too — use them indoors for a formal dinner or outdoors for casual sips in the backyard. While we wouldn’t suggest pairing these tumblers with chilled white wine since your fingers will heat up the glass, they’re perfect with red wine year-round.

Pros:

• Hold more wine with their 21-oz capacity
• Thin rim allows for a richer flavor
• Easy to clean in the dishwasher

Cons:

• Higher cost

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use different types of wine glasses for different red wines?

Unless you have a lot of money to spare and infinite cabinet space, you can stick to a general wider glass for most red wines. But if you do have a favorite scarlet vino to sip on, then buying the right glass for that particular one could be a good idea. If you love bolder red wines like Cabernets or Merlots, then buy glasses with a wide bowl that tapers at the top to allow for more oxygen and thus a smoother, fruitier flavor. Shiraz and Malbec lovers should reach for a smaller, narrower bowl and glass, which softens the wine’s spices and helps bring out the aroma. Lastly, the widest and shortest glasses are used for Pinot Noir. They’re specifically designed to direct the aromas towards your nose and tongue.

How full should I fill my red wine glass?

Unless we’re having a particularly tough day, we usually don’t fill our glass to the brim, but what’s the proper stopping point to get the most out of our Malbec-sipping experience? Well, when it comes to red wine, experts recommend filling your glass one-third full, which gives you plenty of room to swirl the glass. Doing so will aerate the red wine. This not only reduces the carbon dioxide levels but also releases the odors and “opens up” the wine, so to speak. Opening up the wine is particularly important if you’re drinking a young red wine, which is likely to contain more tannins, thus giving you a more bitter, pucker-inducing experience. We like to soften that taste by giving our glass a good swirl.