When coming up with gift ideas for the oenophile in your life, a bottle of wine is the obvious choice. However, picking the perfect bottle can be surprisingly difficult. The solution? Glassware.
A set of wine glasses is an elegant, enduring gift they can enjoy for years to come. (Or, maybe you're hosting Christmas and you're looking for a gorgeous set of glasses to wow your guests and enjoy with that special bottle.)
To help you out, we've answered some common questions about glassware and put together a list of the best wine glass brands to shop this Christmas.
What should I look for when purchasing wine glasses?
One of the first things you should look at is the size and shape of the bowl. The bowl should be big enough that you can comfortably swirl the wine without it spilling over the edge (your initial pour should fill around one third of the glass), but not so large that it's difficult to drink from or store. Always ensure your wine glass has a tapered rim (the opening is narrower than the widest part of the glass) to capture the aromas of the wine.
Stemmed or stemless? We'd always recommend stemmed glassware. This ensures you can hold the glass without the warmth from your hand impacting the temperature of the wine.
What's the difference between crystal and glass?
Crystal is more durable than glass, which means that it can be blown much thinner. Why is thinner better, you might ask? Not only does it feel luxurious to hold a thinner, lighter glass, a thinner rim also allows you to come as close as possible to the liquid in the glass and impacts the mouthfeel when you sip. Crystal also tends to be clearer than glass, allowing you to better perceive the hue or bubble of the wine.
Do I need to buy a different glass for each grape variety?
If you're after a premium glassware experience, choosing a glass that has been designed specifically for the grape variety you're drinking is an excellent way to enhance your enjoyment of the wine. A purpose-fit shape and size can really bring out the flavours and aromas of the wine, really allowing you to appreciate the nuance of the greatest wines. However, not everyone has the budget or the storage space for a full-range of varietal-specific glasses, in which case a universal glass can be more practical, while still enjoyable.
As such, we've included a range of brands that offer both varietal or style-specific glasses and universal glasses below, to suit all your gifting or hosting needs. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, each of these six brands produce high-quality glasses that will enhance your enjoyment of wine.
RIEDEL
RIEDEL is a 265-year-old family business that specialises in glasses that are beautiful but, most importantly, functional. Since the release of its first grape varietal specific series – Sommeliers – in 1974, RIEDEL has been at the forefront of research and testing to deliver the highest-quality glassware based on climate, terroir, winemaking techniques and trends.
All RIEDEL glasses go through workshops where they determine the ideal size and shape for the glass, based on the character of the grape variety it is designed for. So, make sure that you match the wine glass to the wine style they (or you) love to drink.
Shop now: riedel.com | @riedel_official
Plumm
Made in northern Europe, Plumm glasses are blown from a singular piece of lead-free crystal with a pulled stem. Rather than being designed for specific grape varieties, Plumm has crafted a range of style-specific glasses that are beautiful to look at and practical to use.
Ideal for the festive season, Plumm have a range of gift sets available to suit all price ranges.
Shop now: plumm.com | @plummwineglasses
Zalto
Zalto glasses combine centuries-old craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic and almost weightless feel. The glasses are mouth-blown, which, compared to machine-made glasses, results in a microscopically rougher surface and hence a larger surface area in the bowl.
With the exception of the bowl, which is blown using a mould, the glasses are blown free-hand, with a team of eight people dividing the various production stages. This results in extremely thin-walled glasses, so be careful when you're gently hand-washing or putting Zalto glasses in the dishwasher (both are suitable)!
Shop now: zaltoglas.at | @zaltoglas
Spiegelau
Spiegelau (pronounced "shpee-ge-louw") is a German glassware brand that has existed for more than five centuries. Spiegelau's lead-free crystal glasses are designed with clarity and breakage-resistance in mind (the foot is enforced), making them the favoured glass for many in the hospitality industry and retail sector.
So if you're someone – or buying for someone – prone to breakages, but still after that premium glassware experience, Spiegelau is the perfect option.
Shop now: spiegelau.com | @spiegelauaus
Jancis Robinson Collection
If you don't have the budget, or maybe even the storage space, for a whole range of varietal or style-specific glasses, Jancis Robinson has one of the best universal glasses on the market. As Robinson herself says, "I have spent 42 years trying to make wine as approachable and as pleasurable as possible and sincerely believe that just one glass for all wines makes perfect practical sense."
The hand-blown, classically rounded wine glass was first released in 2018 in collaboration with Richard Brendon, who made a name for himself in fine bone china and whisky glasses. In 2024, in response to calls from the hospitality industry for a more affordable version of the universal glass, the Precision model was released. It's the same shape and size as the original, but is machine-made.
Shop now: richardbrendon.com | @jancisrobinson @richardbrendonstudio
Gabriel-Glas
Another stellar option in the universal wine glass realm is Gabriel-Glas. Created by US-based wine critic René Gabriel, his wife, Karin, and daughter Melanie, Gabriel-Glas is a glass made for all types of wine: red, white, rosé and sparkling. The glass is blown from a single piece of molten crystal, the stem pulled and footplate formed without any joints, seams or glues.
The silhouette of the glass, with its gently curved bowl, was inspired by the shape of an unfurling rose.
Shop now: mygabrielglas.com | @gabriel_glas
