Best 10 wine glasses to enhance your collection in 2025

To properly clean crystal wine glasses, hand wash them with warm water and a gentle cleaner made for delicate glass. Avoid abrasive brushes or harsh detergents that can scratch or dull the surface. Use a soft, non scratch brush and rinse thoroughly to remove any residue. After doing so, dry them with a lint free microfiber cloth, taking care not to twist the bowl and stem to prevent damage. If cleaning the next day, soaking the glasses in warm water and vinegar overnight can help loosen dried wine stains.

The best universal wine glass is the Dartington Glitz Single Wine Glass, designed to suit both red and white wines by balancing aeration and aroma concentration. In general, universal wine glasses have a medium sized bowl and subtle taper that delivers wine straight to the palate, perfect for you if you value versatility over variety.

The best way to store wine glasses is upright in a clean, dust free cabinet, especially if they have thin or delicate rims. Thicker glasses can be stored upside down, although this may put pressure on fragile rims over time. Always ensure glasses are fully clean and dry before storing to avoid stains or water spots. Leave about half an inch of space between each glass to prevent chips or cracks. For added safety, use padded racks or separators for crystal or fine glassware.

The best quality wine glasses include the Waterford Lismore Essence Stemless Light Red Wine Glasses, Riedel Vinum Chardonnay Wine Glasses and Marquis by Waterford “Moments” Stemless Wine Glasses. All designed with the finest crystal and other materials to enhance aromas, flavors and oxygenation while improving your overall drinking experience, our top ten wine glasses are perfect for you, whether you’re a casual sipper or an experienced connoisseur.

The main types of wine glasses are red wine glasses, white wine glasses, sparkling wine glasses, dessert wine glasses and universal wine glasses. Red wine glasses have wide, round bowls to improve aeration and enhance bold aromas. White wine glasses are narrower, helping to preserve freshness and delicate notes. Sparkling wine glasses, like flutes or tulip shapes, maintain bubbles and concentrate aromas. Dessert wine glasses are smaller to highlight sweetness and aroma. Each type is designed to bring out the best in the wine it’s meant for, making the right glass essential for a better tasting experience.

The proper way to hold a wine glass is by the stem, not the bowl. Holding it by the stem prevents your hand from warming the wine, helping maintain the ideal serving temperature, which is especially important for white and sparkling wines. It also keeps the glass free of fingerprints and offers better control. This technique is recommended for all wine types and adds a touch of elegance to your presentation while enhancing the overall tasting experience.

The main difference between crystal and regular glass lies in their composition: crystal contains minerals like lead oxide or alternatives such as zinc or magnesium, which makes it more durable and allows elegant, thinner designs with finer rims. On the other hand, regular glass is usually thicker with less clarity, but it tends to be more affordable.

Yes, absolutely! Wine glass shapes are designed to highlight the unique characteristics of each wine type, such as aroma, acidity and tannin structure. For instance, red wine glasses have larger bowls to allow the wine to breathe, while dessert wine glasses are smaller to enjoy concentrated sips. A universal wine glass is versatile enough to enjoy different varietals, but we recommend varietal specific designs for the best tasting experience. 

The best crystal wine glass brands include Waterford, Dartington, Riedel and Spiegelau. They are known for crafting refined glassware from the finest mouth blown or hand blown glass. Some of our favorite products from these brands are the Waterford Lismore Black Large Goblet, Dartington Aurea Small Wine Glass and Riedel Performance Bordeaux/Cabernet/Merlot Wine Glasses. 

You can find the best vintage etched wine glasses right here on this page, in our section on “vintage wine glasses for the retro wine lover”. We have handpicked a selection of the best vintage glasses for adding an antique feel to your wine tasting experience. Our top picks include the Dartington Aurea Large Wine Glass and the Waterford Lismore Oversized Wine Glasses.