The 9 Finest Crimson Wine Glasses, Examined and Reviewed

Rafa García Febles, the overall supervisor and beverage director at Crimson Hook Tavern in Brooklyn, has a tried-and-true mantra for learners when glassware procuring. “Experiment, discover [and] have enjoyable,” he says. “In case you’re simply beginning out, you need to be sure you have a glass that allows you to recognize the nuances of an ideal pour—however do not break the financial institution on separate $60 crystal glasses for every model of wine.” One approach to go about this, in accordance 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” model. Out there 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 stream 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 provide an elevated design—elegant however applicable for on a regular basis use. Our tester appreciated 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 snug and safe within the hand. The massive, angular bowl additionally allowed for an intensive swirl. We appreciated that this glass has the sensibilities of a high-end crystal, however has extra weight to it and makes swirling really feel much more pleasurable.

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 lots of the crystal choices, and we did not really feel the should be valuable with the glass. Despite the fact that the glass is all-purpose, with larger, extra nuanced pink, it nonetheless carried out with precision, highlighting the fruit and concentrating the nostril. One minor disadvantage? These glasses are machine-made.

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

Opposite to common perception, varietal-specific wine glasses can typically work nicely for wines outdoors of their supposed use. These glasses are designed to showcase fruit-forwardness, mood excessive acidity, and improve aromatics—strive them with a couple of totally different pinot noirs (resembling pink 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 constructed from crystal and are dishwasher-safe and surprisingly versatile: They stroll a line between each day drinkers and special-occasion crystal nicely.

“I am a giant fan of the Riedel Veritas Previous World Pinot Noir glass for burgundies and different fragrant reds,” says Febles. “It is attractive 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 very good weight, have been nicely 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 frightened about breaking them; they appeared delicate. The standard appeared obvious throughout testing—the glass sparkled and supplied a brilliant 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. Making an attempt considered one of 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 saved the vibrancy of the fruit whereas permitting for the extra nuanced notes to return out. Our tester famous that this actually 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

In case you’re in search of 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 keeping with 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 an extended workday,” she says. The tempered, non-porous glass of those tumblers is impact- and chip-resistant, and it’s designed to resist sudden temperature modifications—that means that when you make an espresso and wish it iced, you may stick it within the freezer whereas scorching, and the glass can simply deal with it. These tumblers are additionally dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

We put these no-nonsense glasses to the check. Our at-home tester appreciated that they have been stackable (and subsequently space-saving), simple to wash, and super-durable, with a pleasant weight to them. Although the design isn’t significantly thrilling, our tester famous that they appear 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 measurement, we have 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 general thickness of the glass have been fairly chunky, inhibiting the aromas of the wine. These glasses are for having fun with wines in an off-the-cuff setting moderately 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 must play by the foundations on the subject of your wine glass selections,” he says. “For instance, I usually 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 constructed from a proprietary break- and chip-resistant crystal and is dishwasher-safe. Moreover, the glasses can accommodate a wide range of wines along with burgundy (suppose Sangiovese, chianti, Lambrusco, Beaujolais, Brunello, chardonnay, viognier, and extra). They function nice ceremonial dinner glasses—elegant sufficient that your visitors can be impressed that you just introduced out the great 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—stunning, contemplating they’re Tritan—however the glass was just a little thick, and the burden was heavier than we wished. They have 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 nicely. The bowl was giant sufficient to essentially aerate a wine, which we liked. We additionally actually appreciated that the lip was skinny, and the broad bowl allowed aromas to sing.

Our house tester thought these glasses have been barely too tall for the dishwasher. Whereas the Tritan could be very sturdy, and the readability tends to stay after a number of washes, the glasses did not match nicely in a typical dishwasher—the bowl was too broad, and the stem too lengthy to pop them in rigorously. So, we most well-liked to handwash them, appreciating that the bowls have 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 pink wine consuming wants. Glasses inside Luigi Bormioli’s SON.hyx assortment are crystal clear, proof against 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 necessary for stemware on the whole.

Our home-tester famous instantly 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 specific, although the glass is elongated sufficient to nonetheless spotlight aromas—significantly wonderful given the value. We did discover throughout testing, nevertheless, that the readability diminished considerably after a number of makes use of. It received foggy and took a very good quantity of sprucing to get again to trying sharp.

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

Use these glasses for any Bordeaux, younger or previous, in addition to any and the entire 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 wonderful for opening up aromas and permitting a wine to breathe, that’s probably not the glass you’re reaching for when cracking your weeknight bottle of wine. That’s the place a common glass steps in.

“If you’re 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 pink 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 check. Our at-home tester appreciated that the bowl was good and lengthy, taking over the vast majority of the peak. We additionally appreciated the unusually shorter stem, noting that it offered just a little extra stability—particularly good for these of us who self-identify as a klutz! Whereas the stem is stubbier, the great elongated, deep bowl retains the design higher-end.

Whereas testing, we appreciated the scale of the glass—it wasn’t overbearing. The glasses are skinny, however not too papery. It showcased aromas nicely and allowed for loads of room to swirl, which is essential for tannic wines—that are what ought to be served in these glasses. The gradual, sloping bowl suits nicely within the hand, and the stem supplies 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 good pink, however this glass will even play house to all the pieces from opulent Chenin from the Loire to a juicy Beaujolais nouveau to a silky trousseau—they’re every-day glasses that also boast prime quality. Throughout testing, we thought these glasses have been nice for all types 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 typical wine glass. Over time, the form will begin to bend and shift from the warmth of the dishwasher, so it’s endorsed 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 actually probably the most reasonably priced choice, there’s an interesting story to those glasses. In case you’re a wine nerd, Zalto can be a well-recognized identify. Josepheninenhutte is a brand new venture by the lauded Kurt Zalto, probably the most iconic wine glass artisans on the planet. (His household’s glassware dynasty is globally famend and dates again six generations.)

The glassware prodigy now produces revolutionary, elegant glasses utilizing Silesian glassware strategies within the Waldviertel area of Austria. The corporate provides a Champagne glass that is significantly stellar, although the pink 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 nicely, and the glass is delicate and skinny, although surprisingly sturdy. They’re on the bigger measurement, so they’ll command loads of house in your cupboard. In truth, our tester discovered them to be nearly ungainly in measurement, and maybe they are not fairly probably the most sensible. However when you’re devoted to unleashing the flavour and aroma profiles of wine, this glass does so terribly nicely. 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 offer 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 pink burgundy and in contrast the tasting expertise between this glass and an entry-level pink 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 typical pink glass. There is a rule that the value of your glass ought to be equal to the value of your bottles. In case you’re consuming good wine, that is the proper house for them. However like among the best wines, these glasses, too, will be laborious to supply, which is a little bit of a disadvantage.

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

In case you’re simply entering into wine and need to perceive why whisper-thin crystal is exalted by wine execs (with out blowing your finances), Spiegelau’s Bordeaux glass is a wonderful different. They’re the identical form as a higher-end Bordeaux glass and comparable 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 a giant bowl that enables in oxygen to tug 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 have been the precise reverse. The lips have been skinny, the bowls have been well-shaped, and the readability was sensible. Our tester additionally appreciated that the bowls have been barely angled, which felt like an up to date tackle the basic pinot form.

These glasses cleaned nicely and retained their brilliance when going via 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 seemed far much less sensible than the second prior.

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