by Kelvin Teo | Last Updated: December 9, 2021It’s no secret that wine tastes better in the right glass — a good glass enhances your red wine’s flavor and aroma.
If you are a wine lover, then you will know that the the type of stemware you choose can make a big difference in how your wine tastes. However, with all the different shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from, it can be tough to figure out what are the best wine glasses for you.
If you’re not sure what kind of wine glass to use, we’ve compiled a list of 9 glasses for red wines that are worth investing in. In addition to the classic Riedel glasses, there are also options with different designs for those who want something distinctive or more practical for everyday use.
Our Picks
- Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir Wine Glass
- Riedel Ouverture Red Wine Glass
- ROD Red Wine Crystal Glass
- Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Pure Stemware Collection
- Luigi Bormioli Crescendo 20-Ounce Bordeaux Wine Glass
- Spiegelau Vino Grande
- JBHO Hand-Blown Italian Style Crystal Glass
- Zalto Denk’Art Universal Hand-Blown Wine Glass
- LUXU Lead-free Crystal Stemware
Buying Guide: How To Pick A Good Glass For Red Wine
Picking a good glass can be tricky given that not everyone has the same tastes and priorities. For example, some people may want to prioritize aesthetics over function (perhaps they place a high value on their personal style) while others may value practicality instead (since they care more about what impacts the taste of the wine).
However, there are definitely some general rules or guidelines for picking out a quality glass.
Material
First, it’s important to consider the wine glass’ material.
Quality wine glasses should be made from lead-free crystal. Lead poisoning is no joke; hence, wine glasses must be manufactured with high quality standards to avoid ingestion of this harmful substance.
Shape
The shape of a wine glass does matter when it comes to the consumption wine.
When it comes to red wine, we will recommend balloon-shaped or “bowl” glasses because they are perfect for the wine’s tannin structure.
A balloon-shaped glass has a larger area for your vintage to “breathe” and aerate. This allows wine aromas to release and reach your nose, adding a more complex flavor profile as compared to narrower glasses which can distort aromas.
Last but not least, do consider using a stemmed glass. This is because wine stems are designed to balance wine’s temperature and prevent heat coming from your hand reaching the wine.
Size
The benchmark for sizing is to look at your hand — handspan and finger length. This way, you will know what you are looking for when picking your favorite wine glass.
Another factor to consider is the type of drinker you are. If you are weight-conscious, you may want a smaller glass with a wider mouth-opening — this allows you to sip slowly.
Best Stemware For Red Wine — Our Favorites
Drinking wine is an art. As such, there are no hard and fast rules.
It all boils down to the type of experience you are seeking. Some people seek a certain kind of experience while others may desire a variety. If you fall under the latter group, you can consider purchasing different types of wine glasses to experiment — you may be surprised at how the same bottle of red can taste so differently under multiple stemware settings.
Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir Wine Glass
Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir Wine Glasses are handcrafted, mouth-blown glasses with the consistent design-accuracy of a machine. Its unique shape enhances the bouquet and overall taste experience of Pinot Noirs, as well as other reds that are light in tannins and body.
Additionally, the stems on these wine glasses are long and thin to prevent any heat from transferring to your fingers, allowing you to enjoy every last drop of your wine.
The Riedel Veritas has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 with many customers complimenting its ability to enhance the taste of their reds. One even compared his experience with a standard wine glass and noticed that there was a major difference in the “nose” and the taste. The downside, however, is that this glass is pretty thin and delicate, so you will have to handle it with care.
Riedel Ouverture Red Wine Glass
Introduced in 1989, the Riedel Ouverture glass is machine-made in Austria from high quality crystal clear lead-free glass. It has a thin rim which helps release the aromas of red wines, emphasizing fruit and balanced tannins.
In addition to that, it is dishwasher-safe, making it perfect for parties and everyday use. If you are looking for an uncomplicated entry-level glass to appreciate a reasonably-priced red wine, then the Riedel Ouverture is ideal!
ROD Red Wine Crystal Glass
Crafted in one of the most renowned glass regions in the world, Bohemia, Czech Republic, the bowl of the ROD Red Wine Glass is generously-sized at 22oz, allowing you to savor your favorite red wines anytime.
This glass set also makes a great gift for any wine lover because every purchase is neatly packaged in a handsome box and customers get a free 193-page eBook titled, ‘Wine Wisdom’ — a handy guide about everything you need to know on wine-tasting, food-pairing, good practices and more.
The ROD Red Crystal Glass has an overall rating of 4.7 our of 5, with many users complimenting its durability and function. Where it falls short, however, is the seam on its stem — users who value aesthetics may find this minor flaw a distraction.
Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Pure Stemware Collection
Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Pure Wine Glass Collection is the perfect example of how technology and design can come together to create a whole new look at stemware.
This worldwide patented crystal glass material, Tritan, is composed of titanium oxide and zirconium oxide. Titanium oxide is one of the most widely used materials for optical lenses because it is very resistant to scratches and abrasion. The result is a durable crystal glass designed with sharp, crisp lines for a geometric look.
The moderate height and excellent balance of these wine glasses make them perfect for use with soft body red wines. Oh, and they are dishwasher-safe too.
Luigi Bormioli Crescendo 20-Ounce Bordeaux Wine Glass
The Luigi Bormioli Crescendo 20-Ounce Wine Glass is a great wine glass especially for Bordeaux, both young and old.
The attractive design of this glass makes it an excellent choice for entertainment nights, while the thin rim and lightweight body make it comfortable to drink from. This glass is made from durable crystal clear glass that is resistant to chipping and breakage, making it suitable for everyday use. They also come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Spiegelau Vino Grande
Spiegelau’s Vino Grande is the perfect glassware for wine lovers who appreciate rich reds. The classic design features a generous bowl to enhance aroma and soften tannins, while the greater height enhances the wine’s color.
The stemware set is lead-free, seamless, and designed with Spiegelau’s Platinum Glass process, ensuring brilliance and crystal clarity. The unblemished and brilliant clear glass feature hightlights the natural hue and viscosity of each wine for a holistic tasting experience. According to the brand, even after being put through 1,500 dishwasher cycles during testing processes, these wine glasses remained flawless, without scratching and fogging.
JBHO Hand-Blown Italian Style Crystal Glass
The JBHO red wine glass is a unique, hand-blown piece of art. It features a thin rim that results from a cold cutting process, enhancing not just the glass’s quality and drinking experience but also adding to its elegance.
On top of that, the stemware set also boasts an enviromentally-friendly packaging — you can use it outdoors as well as indoors, making it ideal for dinner parties and other special occassions.
When looking reviews, we noticed that customers mainly happy with how elegant the glass feel in their hands. But more importantly, users are impressed with the taste of their wine — one did a taste test comparing a regular glass with the JBHO crystal glass and found that his wine actually tasted smoother and smelled better when drinking from the latter.
Zalto Denk’Art Universal Hand-Blown Wine Glass
These featherweight ultra-thin wine glasses are beyond compare. Holding Zalto stemware can actually give wine-lovers the chills, in a good way of course!
The unique bowl shape is designed such that it allows for better aeration and more complete flavor development. The long stem helps to keep your hand at a safe distance from the bowl, which also makes it easier to swirl your wine as you drink. These glasses are made using traditional techniques and fine materials, so they will last you for years of enjoyment.
LUXU Lead-free Crystal Stemware
When it comes to budget-friendly, the LUXU stemware collection is probably one of the best in the market. However, don’t think for a second that these glasses don’t deliver.
The 23-ounce capacity makes them ideal for Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, and the wide bowl delivers a rich, full taste that’s easy to enjoy. These beautiful crystal stemware glasses have laser-cut edges and an impeccable experience. They’re also very thin and lightweight, so you can hold them comfortably while enjoying your favorite beverage.
Frequently-Asked Questions About Red Wine Glasses
1) What is The Difference Between a Red and White Wine Glass?
White wine glasses are narrower and taller than red wine glasses.
The difference in shape is to absorb the varying aroma of each type of grape better. If you have a bunch of identical white wines, you can actually taste the difference when comparing them across difference types of wine glasses.
Darker wines, on the other hand, will need larger openings that can capture more air molecules to properly oxidize the wine before drinking — hence red wine glasses tend to be wider rather than taller.
2) How Many Ounces of Red Wine Should I Pour Into My Glass?
A large red wine glass holds about 12 ounces, whereas a small red wine glass holds around 4 to 6. We recommend pouring approximately 20% less for smaller glasses because more surface area means more room for oxygen molecules to interact with the wine for a better drinking experience!
3) What is The Proper Way To Drink Red Wine?
Firstly, remove the cork from the bottle. It is a good idea to sniff the first whiff of air that escapes during corkscrewing because it will have a powerful aroma.
Next, pour an appropriate amount of wine for your tastes/order type of dish. Remember, less is more. Pour half a glass for an appetizer course and ¾ glass for meat or cheese dishes. Measurement guides are available online if you are unsure how much is appropriate for different courses.
One thing to keep in mind is that everybody’s taste and preference is different, so there is really no hard and fast rule when it comes drinking red wine, which leads us to the next but most important point…
…that is to enjoy yourself!
4) What is The Best Way To Clean My Red Wine Glass?
The best way to clean a wine glass is to wash it with soap and water by hand with an unscented dishwashing soap.
Rinse the glass thoroughly so any leftover soapy residue is removed from the crystal surface, and place the wine glass upside down to let it dry for about 4 hours before drinking from it again.
Conclusion
We live by the motto: treat your vintage well and it will do the same for you.
That is why, whether you’re a wine lover or not, it’s worth investing in the right type of stemware to give yourself the best drinking experience. That said, we hope this list will help you make a better decision in finding one that will fit your needs and preference!
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