Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a sommelier in the making, the best red wine glasses are a must-have when you crack open a bottle of Cabernet or Pinot Noir. Different styles of wine glasses help highlight the aroma and taste of the drink, allowing you to really experience the nuances of your favorite bottles, and in particular, red and white wine glasses have notably different shapes.
“Red wine glasses usually have larger bowls, which allows the wines to interact more with oxygen, thereby letting them ‘breathe’ or open up,” explains Kelsey Glasser, owner of Portland-based restaurant Arden and wine education platform Raise a Glass. “This is especially helpful for complex reds, maybe with some age to them, that have a lot going on and you want to appreciate the nuance.”
Glasser explains that there are different glass shapes that are suitable for red wine, including narrower Bordeaux glasses and more bulbous glasses for lighter wines. Other factors to look for in a red wine glass include the material, stem length and glass thickness, and you may also want to consider whether glasses need to be hand-washed or if they can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
To enjoy your favorite red varietals to their full potential, here are the best red wine glasses to add to your bar cart.
A Gorgeous Lightweight Glass That’s Perfect For Reds
Glasvin The Expression
Matériel: Lead-free crystal | Capacité: 24.7 ounces | Hauteur: 9.2 inches | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 2, 4, 6 or 8 glasses
The Expression glass from Glasvin is an elegant option for your favorite red wines. Hand-blown from lead-free crystal, these glasses are extremely lightweight and comfortable to hold thanks to a thin, elegant stem. They have a 24-ounce capacity that can accommodate a generous pour, and the wider bowl allows a full bouquet of aromas to develop around the wine. The laser-cut lip of the bowl is also ultra-thin, making it comfortable to sip.
While these red wine glasses may look delicate, they’re still designed to be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, they do need to be placed on the bottom rack, which may take up more space than expected.
Avantages :
Lightweight design with a thin, elegant stem
Bowl allows aromas to develop, yet is still comfortable to hold
Despite its thin construction, the glasses are dishwasher safe
Inconvénients :
Must be placed on the bottom dishwasher rack
Best Value Red Wine Glasses
Inexpensive Crystal Glasses For Lighter Red Wines
Elixir Glassware Red Wine Glasses
Matériel: Lead-free crystal | Capacité: 22 onces | Hauteur: 9.2 inches | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 2 or 4 glasses
If you don’t want to spend too much on wine glasses, this set from Elixir Glassware is a great value. The glasses come in a set of four that costs less than $35, and despite the low price, the glassware is still hand-blown from lead-free crystal.
These glasses have a rounder bowl that’s ideal for lighter red wines like a Pinot or Trousseau, as it helps to trap the aromas for you to savor. The construction is thin and lightweight, making the glasses feel high-end and elegant, and they can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Avantages :
Good value for a set of crystal glasses
Round bowl is well-suited for lighter red wines
Inconvénients :
Some may have small air bubbles in the glass
Best Luxury Red Wine Glasses
Showstopping High-End Glasses With A Unique Shape
Josephine No. 3 Red Wine Glasses
Matériel: Crystal | Capacité: 27 ounces | Hauteur: 9.4 inches | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Yes, but hand-wash recommended | Set: 1, 2 or 6 glasses
These might not look like your average red wine glass, but the Josephine No. 3 glasses are the perfect vessel for any complex red wine. They’re hand-crafted from fine crystal, and the unique bowl shape, which flares out at the bottom, has several benefits. Because the bottom of the bowl is so wide, it creates a large surface area that allows your wine to breathe. The kink in the sides of the glass helps to improve the aroma, by allowing the wine to flow back into the glass in a swirling motion.
As you’d likely expect from a luxury wine glass, the Josephine No. 3 is lightweight with thin walls and a delicate stem. These glasses can technically be cleaned in the dishwasher, but the brand recommends washing and polishing them by hand for best results.
Avantages :
Unique bowl shape is elegant and eye-catching
Creates a large surface area for full-bodied red wines
Thinner and lighter weight than machine-blown glasses
Inconvénients :
While technically dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends hand-washing
Best Red Wine Glasses On Amazon
Top-Selling Glassware With A Stout Shape
Paksh Novelty Italian Red Wine Glasses
Matériel: Verre | Capacité: 18 onces | Hauteur: 8,5 pouces | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 4 or 8 glasses
There are hundreds of wine glasses to choose from on Amazon, but the Paksh Red Wine Glasses are a top-selling product thanks to their durable construction and affordable price. These glasses are smaller than many other red wine glasses, with an 18-ounce capacity, and they also have a shorter stem and stout shape that makes them a bit more durable. The stems are reinforced, helping to prevent breaks when they’re put through the dishwasher.
These inexpensive red wine glasses are available in sets of four or eight, and they’re laser cut for uniformity. The base of the glassware is stable and comfortable to hold, and overall, they’re an unbeatable choice for those who only drink wine occasionally.
Avantages :
Affordable set that works for most red wines
Stout shape and thicker glass for improved durability
Reinforced stems help to prevent breakage
Inconvénients :
Smaller capacity than many other glasses
Best Stemless Red Wine Glasses
Durable Crystal Glasses For Casual Occasions
Riedel Cabernet/Merlot O Wine Tumbler
Matériel: Crystal | Capacité: 21 ounces | Hauteur: 5 pouces | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 2 or 4 glasses
Sometimes stemware feels a little too formal—after all, you’re not going to want to tote around delicate glasses when you’re heading out on a picnic or for wine on the beach. In these cases, a stemless wine glass is the way to go, and one of the best options is the Riedel O Wine Tumblers.
These stemless glasses come in several shapes, including specific versions for Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Syrah and more. Each shape is designed to elevate your drinking experience, and as an added bonus, the smaller glass sizes make them easier to store when they’re not in use.
Avantages :
Several styles available for specific red wines
Stem-free form is handy for eating outdoors and other casual occasions
Stemless shape takes up less space in storage
Inconvénients :
Not the most comfortable to hold
Best Crystal Red Wine Glasses
Attractive Stemware With A Contemporary Angled Shape
Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy Red Wine Glass
Matériel: Tritan crystal glass | Capacité: 23.4 ounces | Hauteur: 9.2 inches | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 2, 4 or 6 glasses
Crystal stemware is often thinner and more brilliant than traditional glass, and the Zwiesel Glas Red Wine Glass is a durable crystal option that’s easy to maintain. These glasses are ideal for varietals like pinot noir, burgundy, sangiovese and chianti, and the angled shape of the bowl gives them a contemporary appearance while encouraging better aeration. Additionally, the tapered rim helps to trap aromas inside the glass so you can savor your drink. A thick base that makes them sturdy and well-balanced, but the stems are a bit thicker than many other red wine glasses, so they’re not quite as elegant in appearance.
Avantages :
Crafted from durable Tritan crystal glass
Angled bowl encourages aeration
Flared base gives the glass better balance
Inconvénients :
Stem and rim are thicker than other glasses
Best Large Red Wine Glasses
Oversized Glasses For Anyone Who Likes A Generous Pour
Hip 31-Oz. Large Red Wine Glass
Matériel: Verre | Capacité: 31 ounces | Hauteur: 10 pouces | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: Sold individually
If you prefer larger servings of red wine, the Hip Big Red Wine Glass has an oversized 31-ounce capacity. These top-selling glasses feature a modern profile with a round, flared bowl and slender stem, and the thin rim makes them comfortable to drink from. They’re made from traditional glass and are slightly taller than other wine glasses, and when you’re finished with your drink, you can simply put them in the dishwasher for hands-off cleaning.
Avantages :
Oversized capacity can hold larger servings
Attractive profile with a flared bowl for aeration
Inconvénients :
Only sold individually—not in sets
Best Wine Glasses For Red And White Wine
A Chip-Resistant Crystal Glass For Any Type Of Wine
Gabriel-Glas “One For All” Crystal Wine Glasses
Matériel: Lead-free crystal | Capacité: 16 onces | Hauteur: 9 pouces | Passe au lave-vaisselle : Oui | Set: 1, 2 or 6 glasses
Looking for a wine glass that can do it all? The Gabriel-Glas “One For All” is a favorite among wine drinkers thanks to its versatile design. It’s hand-crafted from lead-free Austrian crystal, and the shape can be used for white, red, sparkling and even dessert wines. The wide bottom of the bowl helps to aerate red wines, while the gentle conical shape funnels aromas to your nose. Plus, the rims are specially designed to resist chipping, ensuring the glasses last for years to come.
Because they’re universal glasses, the “One For All” design is smaller than traditional red wine glasses and can only hold 16 ounces at a time. The stemware is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and the brand actually guarantees their clarity for 1,000 dishwashing cycles.
Avantages :
Suitable for both red and white wines
Chip-resistant rim for longevity
Brand guarantees clarity for 1,000 dishwashing cycles