Our winner is the Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glass

Laura Denby is a food, home, and lifestyle writer who specializes in creating thorough and analytical product reviews to help shoppers make more informed purchasing decisions. She has a Culinary Arts diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Her work has appeared in leading food and lifestyle publications like PEOPLE, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Verywell Family, Southern Living, and more.

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People / Russell Kilgore

If you’ve ever been served an expensive glass of wine out of a plastic cup, you know how much of a difference a good wine glass can make in the wine-drinking experience. The best wine glasses should feel delicate but balanced in your hand, and they should encourage the flavors in each wine to open up freely. Bonus points if they look chic while doing it. Wine glasses vary greatly in price and style, and there are a ton of varieties to choose from.

In search of the best wine glasses for red, white, sparkling wine, and everything in between, we put some of the leading models through a series of tests and spoke to wine educator and certified sommelier Sarah Tracey. We sipped, sniffed, and swirled in search of a glass that helped accentuate aromas and deliver complex flavors while feeling comfortable and sturdy in our hands.

Wine glasses are inherently delicate, but they should be durable enough to use repeatedly. Although the best wine glass for you will depend on your drinking style and personal preference, we sought to find functional, stylish, and sturdy glasses. “Different shapes of wine glasses do show off different attributes of a wine — and though the differences may be subtle, they’re absolutely part of the experience of enjoying wine to its fullest,” Tracey said.

Read on for some of the best wine glasses PEOPLE Tested.

Amazon

This glass is thick and sturdy while still maintaining delicate elegance.

Its universal shape and thinner lip make it great for drinking all types of wine.

It's gorgeous enough for a special occasion but also durable enough to use every day.

The stem is on the shorter side.

This completely universal glass is fancy enough for special occasions but durable enough to use every day. The lead-free crystal is strong yet slim, so it’s thin against your lips but thick and sturdy in your hand. Though the stem is shorter than some other wine glasses we tested, the universal-style bowl is well balanced with the stem, so the weight of the wine distributes evenly when tipping the glass towards your mouth. Throughout testing, we found that these glasses were ideally proportioned and elegant no matter what type of wine we were pouring. They’re lovely to look at, and the tapered bowl is strategically designed to help open the wine’s aroma and direct it upwards and out of the glass.

The set of two strong glasses comes at a super affordable price, making this an elegant and cost-effective purchase for any type of wine drinker. Whether you have a glass every night or enjoy the occasional sip, these glasses are ideal for everyday-drinking and special occasions alike.

Price at time of publish: $68 (set of 2)

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 2

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Wine Enthusiast

The versatile shape of these glasses means they’re ideal for serving any type of wine.

These glasses take the place of multiple pieces of glassware — which helps cut down on dirty dishes and streamline storage.

Though they’re super dainty, they’re still durable enough to put in the dishwasher.

These are on the pricey end.

Because this glass is so lightweight, it’s best for special-occasion wine drinkers who want to savor a special glass — it’s not ideal for everyday drinking.

Though it can be nice to have specific glasses for every type of wine, it’s even nicer to have a versatile glass that can support any type of wine, while cutting down on dirty dishes in the process. Universal glasses are designed to support everything from red to white to sparkling wines all in the convenience of one glass, so you don’t need to keep multiple sets stored in your cabinets. We love this option for serving all types of wine because it’s elegant and dainty while proving to be versatile and durable. The glass itself is thin and lightweight, so you can feel the weight of the wine when you swirl it around. The generous bowl and tapered lip performed exceptionally well in our tests — we were able to identify nuanced and complex aromas when assessing the nose of each wine, and were also able to pick up more complexity in wines when tasted out of this glass versus other glasses.

Keep in mind that these wine glasses are particularly lightweight and dainty. They’re not ideal for casual drinkers looking for a glass they can toss in the dishwasher every night. These are on the pricier side, so they’re better suited to wine drinkers who like to sip, savor, and take special care of their stemware.

Price at time of publish: $78

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 2

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Amazon

These elegant glasses come in a set of six.

They’re sturdy with long stems that add elegance.

You can choose from seven different shapes including stemless, tall stemless, or universal.

These glasses are heavier than some others on our list.

Stemware can get pricey, so if you’re looking to cut costs, opt for these high-quality crystal glasses that come in a set of six. Available in a variety of styles and shapes — like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sauvignon blanc, or sparkling — stemmed or stemless — these chic glasses are even cheaper than some other sets that only offer two glasses. Schott Zwiesel is known throughout the wine industry for making elegant glassware, and we can see why. These glasses stood up to all of our tests and looked stylish in the process. The sharp geometric shape is a fun divergence from traditional round bowls, which makes them a little more stylish than regular wine glasses.

We were able to detect complex aromas from the tapered stems, and the beaded rim felt soft and sturdy against our lips. The long stem adds elegance, and the titanium-infused crystal is extra durable. We love that the stem and bowl are well balanced, and although it feels a little heavier in our hands than some others, the base, stem, and bowl feel durable and strong.Price at time of publish: $72-$96 (set of 6)

Bowl Type: Universal, Red, White, or Sparkling | Stem: Stem or Stemless | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 6

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Amazon

With six wine glasses included, this is a great option to stock up at an affordable price.

The classic, timeless design suits a lot of different bottles, so it’s incredibly versatile.

The glasses are sturdy and durable.

The stem is on the shorter side.

It feels a little top-heavy and unbalanced in your hand.

If you’re looking to stock up on wine glasses for an upcoming party or holiday without breaking the bank, six glasses in a set make these an incredible buy. The design is classic and timeless, and this standard glass suits a lot of different wine varietals and can be used in a variety of settings. We found that these glasses felt strong and sturdy in our hands thanks to the durable Tritan glass that’s dishwasher-safe. The aromatics of each wine presented themselves pleasantly when poured into these glasses, and we had no trouble swirling and sipping.

The stem is a bit short, and the glass feels a bit top-heavy and slightly unbalanced, but not uncomfortably so. While they’re not particularly fancy or stylish, this is an incredible value for the price. “When I have raucous company over, the budget glassware comes out! Life is meant to be enjoyed, after all, and I never want to spend a lively dinner party stressed that my expensive stemware will get broken,” says Tracey.Price at time of publish: $60 (set of 6)

Bowl Type: Red | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 6

People / Russell Kilgore

Amazon

These thoughtfully-made glasses are light, elegant, and lovely to look at.

The stem, base, and lip are well-balanced, which means they’re comfortable to hold and drink from.

They’re delicate but not fragile.

All varietals of wine presented strong, complex aromas when poured into this glass.

These glasses are some of the most expensive on our list.

Dishwashing is not recommended for these glasses.

These handmade, universal wine glasses are specifically designed to accentuate the nuanced aroma of wine, and we are thoroughly impressed by their ability to do so. In fact, throughout the testing process, these glasses delivered strong, nuanced aromas across all varietals of wine, more so than any other glass.

The hourglass shape features a wide base with a tapered rim, and it’s obvious that the unique design makes them comfortable to hold and has a positive effect on drinkability. The glass is delicate, but not fragile, with a completely universal shape, so it’s excellent for serving both red, white, and sparkling wine. We love that this glass is lightweight and elegant while remaining balanced from base to rim. Keep in mind that this is one of the most expensive glasses on our list, which means it’s better for sipping and savoring, and it shouldn’t be put in the dishwasher.

Price at time of publish: $90

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Handwashing recommended | Number of Glasses Included: 1

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Food52

These glasses have a timeless, elegant shape.

They’re sturdy and dishwasher-safe.

They are super versatile and performed equally well with red wines as with white wines.

These have a really thin stem which makes them feel a little top-heavy.

These versatile, universal glasses are hand-blown from lead-free crystal at extra-high temperatures. The timeless shape is classic and elegant, so it’s excellent for serving both red wine and white wine alike. Each glass is thin and dainty without feeling fragile, and they’re sturdy enough to be placed in the dishwasher after each use.

We love that these glasses are shaped in a way that accentuates aromas and flavors both on the nose and the palate. Throughout testing, we experienced a full, complex bouquet across all wines. We love how thin and delicate the lip is when sipping, but we did feel that the stem was a bit thin, which sometimes made the glass feel a little top-heavy.

Price at time of publish: $79 (set of 2)

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 2

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Bloomingdale's

This glass is delicate but sturdy.

The thicker stem helps balance the weight of the glass.

The silhouette of the bowl makes these comfortable to hold and sip from.

Although this is considered a universal glass, we found the shape was not ideal for red wines.

They’re expensive.

White wine glasses have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses, which makes them easy to hold, sniff, and drink out of. These glasses feature a tapered shape, thin base, and thin opening. Overall, they’re delicate and dainty without feeling too fragile, and the silhouette of the bowl makes these great for drinking all types of white wine, like sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and chenin blanc.

They have a thicker stem when compared to other wine glasses which helps balance out the weight of the base and the bowl. While the shape is universal, it's best suited to white wines and not ideal for reds. Keep in mind that these glasses are handcrafted, which means they’re more expensive than some other glasses of similar quality.

Price at time of publish: $128 (set of 2)

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Glasses Included: 2

People / Russell Kilgore

Amazon

A generous bowl makes it easy to swirl the wine, and the tapered lip helps drive aromas toward your nose.

The thin stem makes these glasses extra dainty and elegant.

The affordable price makes these a great value for the money.

These are very thin and a bit fragile.

Red wine is great for sipping, swirling, and sniffing, so having a large red wine glass with a generous bowl and chic silhouette makes the process even more enjoyable. Riedel makes some of the best glasses in the wine industry, and the brand’s timeless shapes and high-quality crystal are revered among sommeliers and everyday wine drinkers alike. The Veloce line is thin and delicate, so it looks elegant but feels balanced in your hand from base to rim. These glasses are made from the same high-quality crystal as other Riedel glassware, but these are machine-made to offer an even more precise design at a reasonable price. We found that when drinking red out of these glasses, we were able to detect complex aromas on the nose and nuanced flavors on the palate. The bowl is spacious enough to swirl without spilling, and we love that the thin lip feels extra dainty against your lips.

Keep in mind that these glasses are on the fragile side — although the brand considers them dishwasher-friendly, we recommend washing them by hand for the best results.

Price at time of publish: $79

Bowl Type: Red | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Glasses Included: 2

Amazon

The unique, strategic design helps accentuate aromas.

The stem and rim are very delicate, and the glass is well-balanced.

It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold.

While these are technically dishwasher-safe, handwashing is recommended.

If you’re looking for a special glass to serve a special bottle of wine, these high-end glasses are a fantastic option. They’re specifically designed with a unique shape that helps accentuate aromas. The wide base allows for ample oxygen exposure, so wines can more easily open up and breathe, allowing aromatics to more easily travel toward your nose — which is a trait we noticed across all of the wines we tested. The unique shape of the glass is elegant and dignified, and the lightweight stem, rim, and base feel pleasantly balanced and comfortable to hold.

These glasses are a fantastic option for the serious wine drinker looking to invest in high-quality, special-occasion stemware. Thanks to the large bowl that offers extra surface area, these glasses are great for serving full-bodied wines like oaked chardonnay and Bordeaux blends. Keep in mind, while these are labeled dishwasher suitable, the manufacturer recommends handwashing to maintain the quality and integrity of the glasses.Price at time of publish: $105

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Handwashing recommended | Number of Glasses Included: 1

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Wine Enthusiast

They have a beaker-like design that is balanced, elegant, and visually striking.

The glass is thin but sturdy, and it feels agile in your hands.

The tapered rim acts as a funnel to channel aromas up and out of the glass.

It’s best suited for red wines.

If you’ve ever swirled your glass a little too enthusiastically, you know how important the shape of a wine glass can be in preventing spills. We love that these glasses feature a beaker-like shape that offers ample space for swirling. At the same time, the tapered rim acts like a funnel that helps prevent spills while channeling wine aromas up and out of the glass.

Throughout testing, we were thrilled to see that these glasses performed well across all varietals, though they really stood out when testing red wines. The large bowl space almost acts as a wine decanter, so you can swirl wines to help the aromas open up and breathe even more than they would in a traditional glass. The glass is thin yet sturdy, and the long, thin stem felt strong and balanced in our hands. Because of the dedicated design, these glasses are best suited to bold red wines that should be swirled and decanted.

Price at time of publish: $40

Bowl Type: Red | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Glasses Included: 1

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

People / Russell Kilgore

Anthropologie

These uniquely shaped glasses come in 10 different colors.

The fun, chic look doubles as décor on open shelving.

These glasses are affordable, and the customer service is top-notch.

These glasses are very lightweight and fragile, so they must be handled with care.

These are more decorative-type glasses for the occasional wine drinker.

We didn't test these colorful Anthropologie wine glasses in the lab, but after our resident food and wine writer wrote this wine lover gift guide, one of our editors bought a set of these Morgan glasses as a holiday gift to herself. "I'm obsessed with these wine glasses," says PEOPLE senior commerce editor, Erin Johnson. "Every time friends come over, I get compliments on these colorful glasses."

Johnson has the lilac set and says that one arrived slightly cracked, but after contacting customer service, they sent an entirely new set of lilac Morgan glasses, no questions asked. "I'm not a serious wine drinker, so I can't say how these glasses help reveal the 'notes' of the wine or not, but they look adorable on my open shelving and serve their purpose when entertaining guests or winding down from a long day," says Johnson. Plus, the price ($14 a glass) makes this an easy gift for yourself or a friend.

Price at time of publish: $56 (set of 4)

Bowl Type: Universal | Stem: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Glasses Included: 4

Wine glasses come in all different shapes and sizes, and the best wine glasses for you will depend on your personal preference and what types of grapes you plan to serve. When it comes to red wines, look for a glass with a large bowl — the extra surface area in the bowl will allow more of the wine to be exposed to oxygen, which will help the aromas open up and “breathe.” A tapered, tulip-like rim will help aromas funnel up from the wine and out of the glass, so you can more easily sniff and savor them. Our favorite glass for drinking red wine is the Riedel Veloce Cabernet glass.

If you’re looking for a versatile glass that can suit multiple different varietals, a universal glass (like our best overall pick) is your best bet. These all-purpose wine glasses are ideal for serving red, white, or sparkling wines, and having a few do-it-all pieces in your collection can help cut down on dirty dishes and save space on your bar cart.

Caring for wine glasses properly is the best way to get the most use out of them. Some of the most elegant wine glasses are also the most fragile, so be sure to keep maintenance in mind when shopping. Although many wine glasses are designated dishwasher-safe, you’ll want to pay special attention to where you plan to place them in the dishwasher and sink. If you’re willing to spend extra time washing your glassware by hand, you can absolutely invest in dainty, lightweight, and elegant glasses. If you’re looking for an everyday glass that can be placed in the dishwasher after a long day, make sure to shop for dishwasher-safe glasses that are on the thicker, more sturdy side.

When it comes to storage, Tracey recommends storing your extra-special glasses carefully. “If you have really nice glasses that only come out for special occasions, you may want to store them in the box they came in. Otherwise, just keeping them in a cabinet is fine,” she adds.

Balance and weight are two factors that are extremely important when assessing the best wine glasses. Lightweight glasses often feel more dainty and elegant than bulkier alternatives, so they make it easy to sip and swirl delicately. In addition to the weight of the glass itself, it’s important to assess the weight of each piece — the base, stem, and bowl — and to understand how they interact with one another. If a glass is top-heavy, it’s easy to spill and makes the drinking process uncomfortable. If a glass is bottom-heavy, it will be more difficult to tilt, swirl, and drink from. Whether you prefer a lightweight and delicate glass or a heavier, more durable alternative, make sure the weight is balanced from base to rim.

People / Russell Kilgore

To start the testing process we gathered 24 different wine glasses — 12 strictly red wine glasses and 12 universal-style glasses — and sampled one glass of red, one glass of white, and one glass of sparkling wine in each glass. Throughout our tests, we sought to examine design, durability, size, and overall value. To assess the design, we examined each glass’s overall appearance, paying special attention to the thickness of the rim, stem, bowl, and base. By holding the glasses in our hands we examined the overall weight of the glass and determined how balanced or unbalanced it felt from base to rim. While weight is usually a good indicator of durability, we also ran each dishwasher-safe glass through a dishwashing cycle to get a good idea of how sturdy each glass was. We examined each glass after the dishwashing cycle and noted any chips, scratches, or breaks.

To assess functionality and size, we examined how each glass impacted each wine’s aroma. While some glasses helped the wine open up and become aromatic, others had no impact on the wine’s aromas whatsoever, even when pouring from the same bottle. We also assessed the length of each stem and noted whether or not the stem length had any impact on ease of use or functionality. We then rated each glass on a scale of one to five (with five being the best) and the top performers made this list.

People / Russell Kilgore

As is the case with any piece of kitchen or home equipment, it’s important to assess your needs before investing in an expensive item. “Expensive glassware is much like any luxury item: perhaps it’s handcrafted, or made from incredibly expensive materials. It may be the packaging or the prestige associated with the brand. All of these things contribute to the price, and customers will buy those brands if they align with their needs, wants, and values,” Tracey said.

If you’re an experienced wine drinker who wants to get the most out of every sip and sniff, a more expensive glass that feels lightweight and balanced in your hand makes the drinking experience much more pleasant. More expensive glasses are typically designed with wine tasting in mind — so they should have a wide bowl that allows the wine to breathe and open up. If you’re an occasional drinker who wants a sturdy glass they can bring out for parties and put right in the dishwasher, you probably don’t need to invest in expensive glasses.

Keep in mind that not every expensive glass is better than a cheaper alternative — there are plenty of glasses (like the Schott Zwiesel Verbelle Wine Glasses) that are affordable and functional at the same time.

Riedel makes industry-approved stemware that is beloved in restaurants and home kitchens alike. Our team of expert testers found these glasses to be sturdy, durable, and elegant, so they’re a reliable option that you can count on for years to come. Whether you opt for a stemless option or a stemmed glass, Riedel’s collection of wine glasses has something for everyone. Keep in mind the brand makes a huge variety of glasses, and they vary in shape, size, and style. Some are better suited to certain wines than others.

The amount of wine glasses to have on hand depends completely on your personal preference, how often you drink wine, and how often you entertain. If you entertain large groups frequently, it’s a good idea to buy a set of wine glasses that can be used for parties, like the Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Red Wine Glass. If you live alone or with a partner, having a few high-quality glasses per drinker is a great way to make sure your bar cart is always stocked. If you’d like to streamline your storage and cut down on the number of dirty dishes you have, try opting for universal glasses that can suit a wide variety of wines. That way you won’t have separate glasses for each varietal — like red, white, and sparkling — taking up extra space in your cabinets or dishwasher.

People / Russell Kilgore

Laura Denby is a food, home, and lifestyle writer who specializes in creating thorough and analytical product reviews to help shoppers make more informed purchasing decisions. She has a Culinary Arts diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Her work has appeared in leading food and lifestyle publications like PEOPLE, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Verywell Family, Southern Living, and more.

For this piece, she thoroughly researched and reviewed each wine glass and the insights provided by the PEOPLE Tested team. She also consulted wine educator and certified sommelier Sarah Tracey for expert advice on selecting the best wine glasses.

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