Fact: There is no comparison between drinking your wine from a glass that is fit for purpose and one you bought at an op shop or stole from your local pub. Wine tastes better in a glass designed to drink it from. That’s why your search for the best red wine glass money can afford is never-ending.
But what makes a glass distinctively designed for drinking red wine? We’re glad you asked. For centuries, glassmakers have been crafting vessels for myriad uses, and ever since humans transitioned from goblet to glass, we have evolved the humble wine glass into a thing of beauty.
More recently, specialists design and make wine glasses for a particular variety of wine, going beyond red, white or sparkling to enhance the characteristics of each variety. Think Pinot Noir, Shiraz, or Cabernet. It’s a fine art – one that Mark Baulderstone, Managing Director for RIEDEL Australia & New Zealand, takes very seriously. “This is a process of trial and error, looking at how different shapes affect our perception of taste and aroma,” says Mark. “It is a labour-intensive process but ensures we get the right shape to enhance the specific characteristics of that variety.”
“It can be challenging for a customer to tell the difference between good and poor quality until it breaks unexpectedly!”
Mark Baulderstone, Managing Director for RIEDEL Australia & New Zealand
Fit for purpose is key here. If you’re intent on getting the most from every drop, the right glass will get you there. If you’re hosting a party crowd or heading out for a picnic, don’t take the Riedel (Ps. it rhymes with needle!) I’m just saying…
Here are 10 of the best red wine glasses for any occasion.
Home Beautiful’s top red wine glasses for 2025
- Extreme Shiraz, Set of 6, $120, David Jones (here’s why)
- Villeroy & Boch ‘Boston’ red wine goblet, $24.95 each, David Jones (here’s why)
- Vienna Red Wine Glass, Set of 2, $34.95, Country Road (here’s why)
The best Red wine glasses 2025
01
Extreme Shiraz, Set of 6
$120 (usually $200), David Jones
Best for: The Shiraz buff
For the confirmed Big Red fan, the diamond shape of this glass helps to develop the aroma of big, bold red wines. A full set of six is perfect for dinner parties where red wine makes a significant contribution to the menu.
Materials: Crystal.
Key features:
- Dishwasher safe
- Set of 6
- Capacity 709 ccm
02
Villeroy & Boch ‘Boston’ red wine goblet
$24.95, David Jones
Best for: Timeless texture
Bring texture to the table with this contemporary take on a classic crystal goblet.
Colour: Clear
Materials: Crystal glass.
Key features:
- Wide, low goblet shape
- Short stem for safe alfresco dining
- 300ml capacity
03
Vienna Red Wine Glass, Set of 2
$34.95, Country Road
Best for: Elegant simplicity
An elegant silhouette with a generous bowl, the Vienna is a great red wine glass for entertaining.
Materials: Crystalline glass.
Key features:
- Set of 2
- Presented in a Country Road branded box
04
Riedel Wine Friendly Red Wine Glass, Set of 4
$159.47, Amazon
Best for: House warming
Whether a gift to yourself or others, this is a get set of 4 to get your collection of red wine glasses underway. If you tend to move between varieties, consider this glass your one-size-fits-all friend.
Materials: Crystal.
Key features:
- Novice or occasional wine drinkers
- Capacity 667 ccm
05
The Key to Wine Red Wine Set of 3
$63, Riedel
Best for: Covering all bases
For those who love wine to have and hold, this stemless set is a nice way to ease into a wine glass collection. Including a glass each for Cabernet/Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah drinking, investing in two sets will set you up for a shared odyssey into the world of wine.
Materials: Crystal.
Key features:
- Includes 1 x Cabernet/Merlot, 1 x Pinot Noir and 1 x Syrah glass
- Dishwash safe
- Easy to stack in dishwasher without stems
What glass should red wine be served in?
Mark encourages wine lovers to elevate drinking their favourite drop from a vessel designed to bring out the best of that variety and here’s where you should start when choosing the best wine glass for your household. Choose the style of glass designed to drink your preferred red wine variety, then consider how you drink red wine at home – for everyday use perhaps you’ll opt for a stemless glass, whereas habitual entertainers may prefer a stemmed design for dinner parties.
What’s the difference between a red wine glass and a wine glass?
Red wine glasses usually have a larger bowl and a wider opening to drink from. This allows the air to enter the wine and the flavour profile to develop and, generally speaking, bigger-bodied wines need a bigger bowl size in the glass. “While any glass can be used for any purpose, only the correctly shaped glass will reveal the wine’s true character,” says Mark. “All our glasses are named for their use, so it’s easy to find the one that suits you.”
How should a red wine glass be held?
Hold your red wine glass by the stem to avoid fingerprints and allow you to see and enjoy the colour of your wine. Stemless glasses need a delicate touch with a firm grip using just a few fingers.
What determines a well-made wine glass?
“This is an interesting question,” says Mark. “We are a manufacturer, so all our glasses come from machines built by our in-house engineers. This means we control the quality of how the glass is made and whether the end result conforms to the RIEDEL hallmarks of quality. Our glasses are designed to be perfectly balanced in hand, with cut and polished rims for a better feel on your lips and well-proportioned stems without noticeable seam lines.”
Should you wash wine glasses in the dishwasher or by hand?
Most wine glasses are dishwasher safe, which means they can withstand the pressure of a machine wash, but Mark suggests it’s all down to how you arrange your glassware in the dishwasher. Whether washing in the dishwasher or hand washing, it’s essential to take more care when handling them to do it effectively.
When hand washing, Mark warns to avoid rough scourer pads, never place them on a metal rack, and avoid twisting or putting any pressure on the stem when handling. Mark advises extreme care when stacking them in the dishwasher. “It doesn’t mean they’ll survive if stacked incorrectly or don’t fit when you close the rack – as we always say, machines don’t break glasses; people do!”
Related article:
- Beautiful basics: finding the perfect drinking glass
- Sip, sip, hooray! The 7 best cocktail glasses to own
- 9 best wine glasses that will turn you into a self-proclaimed sommelier
