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Do you want to have red wine while dining with your family or partner? Are you planning to create a home bar stocked with full-bodied red wines? If you said yes, you need quality wine glasses to savor the rich, deep flavors of full-bodied red wines with fruity and acidic tasting notes. You can find a variety of glasses, including cabernet, bordeaux, and burgundy, because their shape impacts the taste of the wine significantly. As your wine-tasting experience depends on the glassware, check out the most well-crafted red wine glasses on this list to help you make the perfect purchase. Through our research, we found that Riedel makes the best red wine glasses, renowned for their unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative designs.

 

Red Wine Glasses: A Buying Guide

Whether it is Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux, you need an exquisite collection of red wine glasses in your home bar. But choosing from many options is difficult, especially when your wine-sipping experience depends so much on the glassware. Due to this, check out this complete buying guide to help you invest in the perfect set of red wine glasses. 

Types of Red Wine Glasses

Cabernet/merlot 

These red wine glasses are the tallest in terms of body and stem. They feature a large bowl with a comparatively narrower rim to create a clear contrast in the design. The stem is narrower, with a flat base. While using them, do not overfill, as that destroys the taste and aroma of the drink. Ensure the drink's level reaches the widest part of the bowl.

Bordeaux

While Bordeaux red wine glasses are tall, their bowl isn't much wider. Instead, the ratio of the size of the bowl and the rim is very close to 1:1, creating a perfect balance in shape and making them ideal for drinking full-bodied wines. Thanks to their height, the drink will reach deep down to your throat, giving you a much more holistic experience. Because of their cornered bowl shape, swirling the wine makes it aerated and intensifies the flavor profile.

Burgundy

Burgundy red wine glasses feature a wider bowl, almost like a balloon. Their height is not much and is often considered one of the shortest glasses. The rim is slightly wider than cabernet glasses. Stems are narrower, but the flat base is larger. Owing to this unique design, you can taste the wine first at your tongue's tip and then in the rest of your mouth. Their lips are usually thinner to make drinking easier.

What To Consider When Buying Red Wine Glasses

Material 

All red wine glasses are made from transparent crystal to ensure you can have an unobstructed view of the wine poured inside. Some glasses have a transparent body to intensify the natural hue and texture of the wine, while a few can even reflect light to achieve astonishing brilliance. You should choose a product manufactured from high-quality crystal that is highly durable and long-lasting. Go for a seamless design, as the glasses have an impressive aesthetic and are perfect for a fine wine-tasting experience.

Bowl size

Choose a pack of red wine glasses with a wider bowl size. The wider the bowl, the more the red wine can breathe and achieve its full complexity with finesse. Plus, it also ensures the flavors become more prominent as you continue swirling the drink in the glasses.

Rim

If your chosen red wine glasses have a narrower rim, the wine’s aroma will instantly hit your nostrils, giving you a first-hand, luxurious experience. You should go for a product with a smoother rim, as it helps you take a sip of your favorite wine without hurting your lips. 

Shatterproof 

The red wine glasses are quite delicate and can easily break if you are not careful. If your chosen glassware features an extremely thin wall, it will shatter into pieces with a soft collision. So, it is better to go for a product with thick, shatterproof walls. This way, your glasses will be safe from damage and allow you to savor your favorite drink.

Wine compatibility

While the red wine glasses are perfect for most full-bodied wines, like cabernet, bordeaux, and merlot, it is better to check if the chosen product is suitable for your favorite drink. For example, most glasses can hold and look good with a cabernet, but only a few are compatible with Pinot Noir. 

Ease of cleaning

The red wine glasses should be easy to clean in the dishwasher. Ensure they can survive repeated washing cycles without forming scratches or becoming foggy. 

Price Range of Red Wine Glasses

The price range of red wine glasses is between $20.39 and $73.50, depending on many factors. For instance:

  • If you get a pack of red wine glasses for full-bodied wines, it costs more than other products for regular wines.
  • When you choose red wine glasses made from premium-quality crystals, they cost more than products made from regular material. 
  • Cabernet/merlot and bordeaux red wine glasses are more expensive than the ones with balloon shapes. 
  • High-quality red wine glasses are more expensive than others with average quality. 

How To Pour Wine in a Red Wine Glass

  • Place the red wine glass on the countertop
  • Hold the red wine bottle from its lower half with one hand and use the other hand to hold a napkin or table cloth
  • Tilt the bottle so that its mouth is just over the glass’s rim
  • Pour the drink either from the center or along the sidewall

Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Riedel Red Wine Glasses
  • Comfortable Grip: Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glasses
  • Beautiful Design: Paksh Novelty Red Wine Glasses
  • Artisan Crafted: Elixir Glassware Red Wine Glasses
  • High-Quality Choice: Spiegelau Red Wine Glasses
  • Most Durable: Joyjolt Red Wine Glasses
  • Most Functional: Amazon Basics Red Wine Glasses

Reviews

Best Overall
Riedel Red Wine Glasses

Riedel Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Tall stem for easy holding
  • Extra-large size lets wine breathe
  • Lead-free glass keeps wine safe
  • Extremely thin glass wall
Comfortable Grip
Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glasses

Bormioli Rocco Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Strong and durable glass
  • Thin rim with good weight and balance
  • Dishwasher safe glass
  • Rim may be too thin for some
Beautiful Design
Paksh Novelty Red Wine Glasses

Paksh Novelty Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Nice and classy design
  • Comfortable when cradled in the hand 
  • Dishwasher safe glass
  • Glasses are slightly larger than expected 
Artisan Crafted
Elixir Glassware Red Wine Glasses

Elixir Glassware Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Durable and solid feel
  • Wide point for perfect serving
  • Elegant and attractive design
  • Light weight makes them prone to tipping
High-Quality Choice
Spiegelau Red Wine Glasses

Spiegelau Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Safe for the dishwasher 
  • Reflects light for exquisite brilliance
  • Designed seamlessly for aesthetics
  • Perfect for full-bodied wines only
Most Durable
JoyJolt Red Wine Glasses

Joyjolt Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • The glass is shatterproof
  • Can be washed in the dishwasher
  • Excellent craftsmanship for longevity
  • May be smaller than expected
Most Functional
Amazon Basics Red Wine Glasses

Amazon Basics Red Wine Glasses

Pros Cons
  • Perfect for any occasion
  • Wider bowl shape 
  • Durable and long-lasting glass
  • Glass walls are thin

FAQs

Can I hand wash the red wine glasses?
Yes, you can wash the red wine glasses with your hand. But it increases the chances of damage, so washing the glassware in the dishwasher is better. 
Can I put the red wine glasses in the freezer to chill the drink?
No, you cannot put the red wine glasses in the freezer, even for a couple of minutes, as the cold temperature can cause the glass to crack. Add ice to the glass and enjoy the drink if you want to make the wine chill.
Should I store the red wine glasses in an upright position?
Keeping the red wine glasses in an upright position may cause damage. So, keep them inverted so that the rim rests on the cabinet surface. If your bar cabinet has slots for hanging the wine glasses, ‌go for that option first. 
How should I swirl the wine?
The easiest way to swirl the wine is to place the glass filled with wine on the table, hold its stem with your thumb and forefinger, and start drawing circles on the table. Once you get better, ‌try swirling without the table.