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While I tend to be the type to pour myself a glass of wine in whatever clean vessel I have lying around, whether it be a Mason jar, a drinking glass, or even a mug, I must admit that everyone should have a set of proper, stemmed glasses on hand. For one, they feel nice to drink out of. For another, they actually make the wine taste like it’s supposed to.
Technically, proper wineglasses have a bell-shaped bowl that allows wine to oxidize or interact with air. This process actually starts the moment you open up your bottle; you’re just helping it along when you pour the wine into a decanter or glass. Sounds like science, which it is, but all you need to know is that oxidation changes a wine’s aroma and taste — in a good, “this is supposed to happen” kind of way. If you’ve ever taken a sip of a funky-tasting wine, waited a bit, and then tried it again to better success, you know what I’m talking about. Stemmed wineglasses also mean you don’t need to grasp the bowl itself and risk warming up your drink.
Classifications can get really nitty-gritty for those who care (we’re talking ultraspecialized designs for specific varietals). But for the average person (even the average wine-loving person), a universal glass — one that is stemmed and of medium size — will do the trick. “It’s nice to be able to smell the wine as you’re drinking,” says Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son in Brooklyn. “But ultimately, when you’re talking about cracking open a bottle on a Tuesday night, you don’t need to be precious.”
With that in mind, I asked Leon and ten other sommeliers and beverage directors to share the best universal wineglasses, whether you’re looking for a durable set or a couple of splurge-worthy standouts to add to your glassware collection, and added in a few from my personal collection.
What we’re looking for
Shape
While universal wineglasses typically are designed with a traditional bell shape, there can be some small differences among them. For example, a slightly more narrow bell shape is better if you tend to reach for white wines, while those with a wider, decanter-esque shape are better for reds. We’ve noted the difference (and what they mean) below.
Set number
Choosing the right number of glasses will depend on your budget and entertaining needs. A set of two is great for just you and your partner, whereas wineglasses sold in singles are ideal if you’re the type who likes to sip a glass of wine solo in the bathtub. And if you find yourself often playing host, there are also sets of four or more below.
Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only
Due to the delicate nature of the crystal and the shape of the glasses, many brands recommend handwashing to prevent shattering and cloudiness. However, we did source a few options that are designed to hold up to the dishwasher (if you’re lucky enough to have one in your apartment).
Best universal wineglass overall
Shape: Traditional bell shape | Set number: Set of 1 | Dishwasher safe versus hand-wash only: Hand-wash only
Zalto, for the most part, makes the most beloved wineglasses in the industry. Several of the experts we consulted compared other brands — even ones they fully endorse — to the “the Olympic gymnasts of wineglasses,” as wine columnist Marissa A. Ross once referred to Zalto. Indeed, these wineglasses are top of the line, which is why just one will cost you more than $75. While they are expensive, I love that they are a true universal glass that works for every single style of wine I’ve ever poured into it from Beaujolais to Champagne. It is also a great investment if you’re just starting to build your glassware collection out because of its versatility.
“It’s extremely elegant, lightweight, and thin,” says Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at NoMad and founder of VINNY Wines. “All of that amounts to you experiencing the wine itself more than the physical glass as you smell and drink,” he says, adding that if he had to pick just one glass to enjoy every single wine in the world, this would be it. Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine in Los Angeles, calls it her “ideal” glass, and Leon is a big fan, too. While the most common criticism is that the thinness (which is “almost disarming at first,” Leon says) means it’s easily broken, I’ve put Zaltos in the dishwasher before without a problem. “We’ve cracked ours from sheer excitement of clinking the glasses too hard,” Leon says, “but never from cleaning them.” However, the brand does recommend handwashing only.
Best (less-expensive) universal wineglass
Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2, 4, 6, or 8 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
If you’re looking for a universal glass that doesn’t run almost three figures, Glasvin is a well-loved glass known for its quality-to-affordability ratio. Many wine enthusiasts I know keep a set of Glasvins on hand for hosting. Lily Peachin, the owner of Dandelion Wine in Brooklyn, says that Glasvin’s Universal glasses really hold their own against Zalto. At $79 for a pair, you can get two Glasvins for the price of a single Zalto, so they’re definitely less expensive — “handmade glassware without the handmade price tag,” as Peachin puts it. And while they’re not as finely made as Zaltos, they are still quite delicate and feel expensive in your hand.
Best sturdy universal wineglass
Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1 or 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
If you want an all-purpose wineglass that isn’t quite as delicate as the options above (a.k.a. it’s less likely to shatter in the sink), I recommend these Cabernet glasses from Schott Zweisel. The crystal is mixed with a trace amount of titanium — the brand’s signature — which gives their glassware added strength and durability.
Best universal wineglass for white wines
Shape: Narrow bell-shape | Set number: Set of 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
Yes, I did say that a “universal” glass refers to one you can use for any type of wine, but if you really are a white versus red person, you can get a little more particular (while still knowing that if you pour something outside of your usual, it’ll be just fine). If you tend more toward acid-forward whites, try Sophienwald’s white-wine glasses, which feature a narrow mouth for less air contact, thus preserving the wine’s bright flavor. The price is similar to that of Zalto, but the glass has a thin, sleek frame with just a touch more angles. “It also holds up well in a dishwasher — be it a commercial one in my restaurants or the one in my house,” says master sommelier June Rodil, a partner at Houston’s Goodnight Hospitality.
Best universal wineglass for red wines
Shape: Wide bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1, 2, 4 or 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only
While we’re on the slightly more-specialized kick, if you tend to favor deep, earthy reds, your best best is Zalto’s massive Burgundy glass, which is just as delicate as the brand’s universal wineglass but with a decanterlike, bell-shaped design that lets the wine breathe. “Nothing beats drinking Burgundy out of their massive, ten-ounce red Burgundy glasses,” says bar consultant Frank Cisneros. “They’re a bit pricey, but perfect.”
Best universal wineglass for sparkling wines
Shape: Winged bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
Okay, okay — this also isn’t technically a universal wineglass, but it is a Champagne glass that is more akin to a wineglass than a flute, meaning you’d be wise to drink any and every type of sparkling wine from it. “It lets you incorporate more air and smell,” explains New York Magazine’s “Underground Gourmet” columnist Tammie Teclemariam. “It enhances the minerality of all sorts of sparkling wines, from Vouvray to Vilmart.” It can also handle a typical red or white, in a pinch.
Best universal wineglass for aromatics
Shape: Tapered bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only
Restaurateur and beverage director Annie Shi told me about Conterno glasses when I interviewed her about everything she put on her wedding registry. Designed by winemaker Roberto Conterno, the glasses are “hand blown and stunningly thin,” she says. They also feature a very wide bowl that tapers up, which is what allows you to really get the aromatics of the wine as you’re drinking. “Aesthetics aside, this glass has enhanced every wine I have ever poured into it.” And although it’s a burgundy bowl, Shi says she has used them for tasting and drinking all different types of wine.
Best design-y universal wineglass
Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only
If you care more about tablescaping than tasting notes, I also highly recommend Estelle Colored Glass. Founded in 2019 by Stephanie Hall, the brand is known for their hand-blown stemware that is offered in a range of colors. They’re just really fun to drink out of and offer a little bit of visual intrigue to my table when I host dinner parties. And I appreciate that I don’t have to be overly precious with them: While the brand recommends only handwashing, they have always survived a cycle in my dishwasher.
Best universal stemless wineglass
Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
As stated above, stemmed wineglasses are ideal because they both aerate the wine and keep your hand from warming it up. However, sometimes a stemless glass is simply more practical, especially if you’re short on storage space. Austrian glassware company Riedel’s “O” series of stemless glasses were the favorite in our roundup of the best stemless glasses with around half of the pros surveyed raving about them. Cedric Nicaise, wine director at Eleven Madison Park, recommends them because they can hold their own when compared with a traditional stemmed style. “They still provide great aromatics, and the glass is very thin so smelling and drinking wine are great experiences,” Nicaise says.
Best plastic universal wineglass
Shape: Goblet | Set number: Set of 1 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
Now, while I believe in the importance of investing in glassware, summer is on the horizon and with it a calendar of events that probably includes poolside parties and park picnics. Since breaking out the, well, breakable glasses for outdoor events is ill advised, having dedicated plastic wineglasses is a smart move. But that doesn’t mean you should be drinking your wine out of a Solo cup. For those who want the feel of a real glass with the durability of a plastic cup, Juliska’s goblets are my top choice. I love the little embossed pattern that makes them look much fancier than they are. Plus, a goblet-style wineglass has the most versatility whether you’re drinking white, red, or bubbles.
Some more wineglasses we’ve written about
Our experts
• Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine in Los Angeles
• Frank Cisneros, bar consultant
• Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son in Brooklyn
•Cedric Nicaise, wine director at Eleven Madison Park
•Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at NoMad and founder of Vinny wines
•Lily Peachin, the owner of Dandelion Wine in Brooklyn
•June Rodil, master sommelier and partner of Houston’s Goodnight Hospitality
•Annie Shi, beverage director at King and Jupiter
•Tammie Teclemariam, New York Magazine’s “Underground Gourmet” columnist
•Jason White, senior food and beverage director at the Soho Grand Hotel
Additional reporting by Emma Wartzman, Nikita Richardson, and Maxine Builder
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