The 9 Greatest Crimson Wine Glasses, Examined and Reviewed

Rafa García Febles, the final supervisor and beverage director at Crimson Hook Tavern in Brooklyn, has a tried-and-true mantra for newbies when glassware buying. “Experiment, discover [and] have enjoyable,” he says. “If you happen to’re simply beginning out, you need to ensure you have a glass that permits you to recognize the nuances of an awesome pour—however do not break the financial institution on separate $60 crystal glasses for every type of wine.” One approach to go about this, in line with Febles, is to go for a sturdy, all-purpose glass that works with all kinds of wines.

One business favourite is the Gabriel-Glas “One for All” type. Accessible in two high quality ranges, the StandArt Version and the Gold Version, Febles recommends attempting the previous first: “[This glass] will present loads of totally different types close to their finest, permitting you to discover and develop your palate earlier than committing to extra specialised glassware.” He explains, “Typically, you need a glass with a large bowl, skinny glass, and a stem: The bowl permits aromas to emerge and collect, skinny glass permits the wine to move simply into your mouth, and a stem prevents your hand from unnecessarily warming the wine or contributing off-aromas from no matter you’ve got been touching.”

After unboxing these lead-free crystal glasses, our at-home tester famous that for an approachable value level, these glasses nonetheless supply an elevated design—elegant however acceptable for on a regular basis use. Our tester preferred that the stem was good and thick and did not really feel hyper-delicate like many high-end glasses. The heavier weight and thick stem felt comfy and safe within the hand. The big, angular bowl additionally allowed for an intensive swirl. We preferred that this glass has the sensibilities of a high-end crystal, however has extra weight to it and makes swirling really feel much more gratifying.

Throughout testing, we appreciated the conical design—making it really feel like a bigger, blown-up model of a brandy snifter. This form helped to pay attention the aromas and directed them straight to the nostril. Our tester famous that the glass was skinny however not paper-thin like most of the crystal choices, and we did not really feel the have to be valuable with the glass. Though the glass is all-purpose, with greater, extra nuanced crimson, it nonetheless carried out with precision, highlighting the fruit and concentrating the nostril. One minor downside? These glasses are machine-made.

Materials: Lead-free crystal | Capability: 8 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 4.5 x 11.5 inches

Opposite to standard perception, varietal-specific wine glasses can typically work effectively for wines outdoors of their supposed use. These glasses are designed to showcase fruit-forwardness, mood excessive acidity, and improve aromatics—attempt them with a couple of totally different pinot noirs (comparable to crimson burgundy or a varietal from California) and a Gamay to see how they affect the wine on the nostril and palate. The wine bowl particularly showcases fragrant, bigger-bodied wines—Barolos, Barbaresco, Lagreins, and Aglianico. These glasses are made out of crystal and are dishwasher-safe and surprisingly versatile: They stroll a line between each day drinkers and special-occasion crystal effectively.

“I am an enormous fan of the Riedel Veritas Previous World Pinot Noir glass for burgundies and different fragrant reds,” says Febles. “It is beautiful to take a look at and superbly balanced in your hand, and it highlights aromas whereas preserving the wine’s construction.”

Our house tester appreciated that these glasses had a great weight, had been effectively formed to their varietal, and weren’t overly valuable like many varietal-specific glasses. Although we famous that these are dishwasher-friendly, the outsized bowl and bigger top made them awkward for a dishwasher, and our tester anxious about breaking them; they appeared delicate. The standard appeared obvious throughout testing—the glass sparkled and supplied a vibrant window into the colour of the wine.

Our tester thought the round form made for a very nice consuming expertise, and the skinny lip completely aided that. Attempting one among our favourite Brouillys from this glass, we thought that it did a superb job of tempering the acidity whereas highlighting the high-toned fruit. With a youthful spatburgunder, it stored the vibrancy of the fruit whereas permitting for the extra nuanced notes to come back out. Our tester famous that this definitely is not a glass for medium- and heavy-bodied wines, however its tulip-shaped bowl provides depth to brighter wines.

Materials: Crystal glass | Capability: 24.87 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 4.25 x 9.25 inches

If you happen to’re searching for a flexible workhorse, Victoria James, sommelier and government director of beverage at Cote in New York, recommends her go-to stemless glass, the Duralex Picardie Tumbler. In response to her, these glasses are sturdy, dependable, and nice for brasserie-style wines, they usually received’t break the financial institution.

“That is my car for a tipple on the finish of a protracted workday,” she says. The tempered, non-porous glass of those tumblers is impact- and chip-resistant, and it’s designed to face up to sudden temperature adjustments—that means that for those who make an espresso and wish it iced, you possibly can stick it within the freezer whereas sizzling, and the glass can simply deal with it. These tumblers are additionally dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

We put these no-nonsense glasses to the take a look at. Our at-home tester preferred that they had been stackable (and due to this fact space-saving), straightforward to wash, and super-durable, with a pleasant weight to them. Although the design just isn’t significantly thrilling, our tester famous that they seem like the glasses you’d discover on bistro tables round France and Spain, and there is an attraction to that.

Throughout testing, we seen that due to the smaller dimension, we had been capable of give a slight swirl to those glasses, however there wasn’t sufficient house to aerate the wine correctly. We additionally famous that the lip and total thickness of the glass had been fairly chunky, inhibiting the aromas of the wine. These glasses are for having fun with wines in an off-the-cuff setting quite than holding a severe tasting. They’re additionally nice to have round the home—use them for juice or glowing water—and are perfect for no-fuss, on a regular basis consuming.

Materials: Tempered glass | Capability: 8.75 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 3.4 x 3.4 inches

Sur Lucero, an award-winning grasp sommelier at Jackson Household Wines, advocates utilizing varietal-specific stemware flexibly. “You don’t at all times need to play by the foundations in the case of your wine glass decisions,” he says. “For instance, I sometimes take pleasure in Châteauneuf-du-Pape from a burgundy glass as a result of it’s nearly at all times grenache-based.”

For Lucero, a burgundy glass is a cupboard staple, due to its versatility. This stemware set by Schott Zwiesel is made out of a proprietary break- and chip-resistant crystal and is dishwasher-safe. Moreover, the glasses can accommodate a wide range of wines along with burgundy (assume Sangiovese, chianti, Lambrusco, Beaujolais, Brunello, chardonnay, viognier, and extra). They function nice ceremonial dinner glasses—elegant sufficient that your friends might be impressed that you simply introduced out the good glassware however sturdy sufficient so you will not flinch each time you hear a clink.

When testing these glasses out, we discovered them to be elegant and trendy. The readability was sensible—shocking, contemplating they’re Tritan—however the glass was just a little thick, and the load was heavier than we wished. They had been additionally nice for swirling the wine.

We examined a couple of totally different wines from these, together with an inky blaufrankish and a extra herbaceous, big-bodied Sangiovese, and located that the aromas all performed effectively. The bowl was giant sufficient to essentially aerate a wine, which we beloved. We additionally actually preferred that the lip was skinny, and the broad bowl allowed aromas to sing.

Our house tester thought these glasses had been barely too tall for the dishwasher. Whereas the Tritan may be very sturdy, and the readability tends to stay after a number of washes, the glasses did not match effectively in a normal dishwasher—the bowl was too broad, and the stem too lengthy to pop them in fastidiously. So, we most popular to handwash them, appreciating that the bowls had been broad sufficient that we did not fear about them.

Materials: Triton crystal glass | Capability: 23.7 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 4.5 x 9.31 inches

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Lucero recommends Luigi Bormioli’s Bordeaux glasses for many of your crimson wine consuming wants. Glasses inside Luigi Bormioli’s SON.hyx assortment are crystal clear, immune to chipping and breaks, and dishwasher-safe, they usually include a 25-year producer’s guarantee. They’re additionally very skinny and light-weight, which is essential for stemware on the whole.

Our home-tester famous immediately that the lip on this glass rivaled that of higher-end crystal glass and that the bowl supplied ample room to swirl, offering loads of room to let the flavors categorical, although the glass is elongated sufficient to nonetheless spotlight aromas—significantly glorious given the worth. We did discover throughout testing, nonetheless, that the readability diminished considerably after a number of makes use of. It bought foggy and took a great quantity of sharpening to get again to trying sharp.

Though this can be a Bordeaux glass, our tester preferred that it was additionally nice for a wide range of wines—conventional younger and previous crimson Bordeaux, in addition to white wines. At-home testing proved that there have been additionally some downsides: The glass did not conceal flaws, and the load of the stem, though steady, felt cheap. However what it lacked in magnificence, it made up for in value, and the glass carried out completely effectively with a variety of wines.

Use these glasses for any Bordeaux, younger or previous, in addition to any and all the varietals that go into it (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, amongst others).

Materials: Crystal | Capability: 20 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 7.4 x 9.4 inches

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Whereas tall-stemmed, paper-thin glasses are glorious for opening up aromas and permitting a wine to breathe, that’s possible not the glass you’re reaching for when cracking your weeknight bottle of wine. That’s the place a common glass steps in.

“In case you are shopping for a wine glass for the primary time, my suggestion is to purchase an all-purpose wine glass, which is appropriate for each informal and formal events. The glass can be utilized for each crimson and white wines. My favourite glass needs to be Riedel,” says Suman Pradhan, director of meals and beverage and sommelier at Viceroy Snowmass, in Colorado. “They’re the world’s main glassmakers and produce high-quality stemware with particular shapes and designs. Riedel’s designs at all times complement the totally different wine grape varieties and areas, while including to the general enjoyment of a wine.“

Taking Pradhan’s recommendation, we put these all-purpose Riedel glasses to the take a look at. Our at-home tester preferred that the bowl was good and lengthy, taking on nearly all of the peak. We additionally preferred the unusually shorter stem, noting that it supplied just a little extra stability—particularly good for these of us who self-identify as a klutz! Whereas the stem is stubbier, the good elongated, deep bowl retains the design higher-end.

Whereas testing, we preferred the scale of the glass—it wasn’t overbearing. The glasses are skinny, however not too papery. It showcased aromas effectively and allowed for loads of room to swirl, which is essential for tannic wines—that are what needs to be served in these glasses. The sluggish, sloping bowl suits effectively within the hand, and the stem offers stability.

These reasonably priced all-purpose glasses are designed to be completely serviceable for each and any wine you’re sipping. There’s nonetheless a stem and an elongated bowl giant sufficient for oxidizing a decent crimson, however this glass will even play house to all the things from opulent Chenin from the Loire to a juicy Beaujolais nouveau to a silky trousseau—they’re every-day glasses that also boast top quality. Throughout testing, we thought these glasses had been nice for all kinds of wines, however we discovered that the bowl wasn’t fairly giant sufficient for daring wines; skip these for Bordeaux.

Our at-home tester discovered these glasses to be barely extra fragile than a normal wine glass. Over time, the form will begin to bend and shift from the warmth of the dishwasher, so it is suggested to hand-wash these.

Materials: Glass | Capability: 20.6 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 3.75 x 8.85 inches

Whereas these aren’t probably the most well-known or definitely probably the most reasonably priced choice, there’s an interesting story to those glasses. If you happen to’re a wine nerd, Zalto might be a well-recognized identify. Josepheninenhutte is a brand new undertaking by the lauded Kurt Zalto, one of the crucial iconic wine glass artisans on this planet. (His household’s glassware dynasty is globally famend and dates again six generations.)

The glassware prodigy now produces modern, elegant glasses utilizing Silesian glassware methods within the Waldviertel area of Austria. The corporate presents a Champagne glass that is significantly stellar, although the crimson wine glasses (each burgundy and Bordeaux) are bar-none in case you are a cellar nerd. They’re whisper-thin, product of hand-blown crystal in Austria. His burgundy glass has a large base, a slight curve, and large curves to amplify extra delicate Burgundian reds, and the tall glass has a showstopping presence on a desk; the flat-bottom design is uncommon, that is for certain.

After unpacking these glasses at house, our tester found simply how extremely mild these are, noting that they really feel like air in your hand. The stem is lengthy and stylish, the bowl is giant and hugs the wine effectively, and the glass is delicate and skinny, although surprisingly sturdy. They’re on the bigger dimension, so they’ll command loads of house in your cupboard. The truth is, our tester discovered them to be nearly ungainly in dimension, and maybe they don’t seem to be fairly probably the most sensible. However for those who’re devoted to unleashing the flavour and aroma profiles of wine, this glass does so terribly effectively. It is equal in efficiency to a decanter, expertly expediting the aerating course of to mere moments. The readability is sensible, and there may be greater than sufficient house to present an intensive, beneficiant swirl.

The lip on this glass is especially skinny. When consuming, it feels as if there may be nearly nothing between your palate and the wine. Our tester opened a bottle of heavier crimson burgundy and in contrast the tasting expertise between this glass and an entry-level crimson glass. The Josepheninhutte did an distinctive job of unfolding the aromas delicately—it was clear how far more developed the wine was on this glass over a normal crimson glass. There is a rule that the worth of your glass needs to be equal to the worth of your bottles. If you happen to’re consuming good wine, that is the precise house for them. However like a number of the most interesting wines, these glasses, too, could be arduous to supply, which is a little bit of a downside.

Materials: Glass | Capability: 27 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 4.33 x 9.45 inches

If you happen to’re simply stepping into wine and need to perceive why whisper-thin crystal is exalted by wine professionals (with out blowing your funds), Spiegelau’s Bordeaux glass is a wonderful different. They’re the identical form as a higher-end Bordeaux glass and related in high quality, however they don’t boast a mile-high price ticket. 

The German, machine-made glasses are designed to showcase the large daring flavors of Bordeaux, with an enormous bowl that permits in oxygen to drag out the nuanced flavors of full-bodied blends of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and merlot wine and a tall form that pushes flavors on to the again of your mouth.

Our at-home tester discovered the stems on these glasses to be thick and too heavy for her liking, however the bowls had been the precise reverse. The lips had been skinny, the bowls had been well-shaped, and the readability was sensible. Our tester additionally preferred that the bowls had been barely angled, which felt like an up to date tackle the basic pinot form.

These glasses cleaned effectively and retained their brilliance when going by the dishwasher. Whereas testing, we discovered that the readability does not stay whereas consuming, although. Our tester touched the bowl as soon as and located that the glass instantly picked up any oils and regarded far much less sensible than the second prior.

Materials: Crystal | Capability: 24 ounces | Dimensions (WxH): 3.78 x 10.02 inches