Picking the right wine glass is its own little adventure. At first you suspect it’s all marketing fairy dust, the idea that a glass could actually change how a wine tastes. We used to think the same, and there’s probably some truth to that. But you do have to admit: the right glass can shift everything in a tasting. After all, the glass is the last thing standing between you and the wine. Anyone can run the experiment. You don’t taste a wine the same way in a plastic cup as you do in a Zalto glass. In this piece, here’s our top 10 to upgrade your tastings and get the most out of every bottle.
The Zalto Universal, if you only buy one
If we could only talk about one brand, it would be Zalto. That’s why the Austrian house takes the top two spots. The Zalto Universal is a timeless classic, the performance, the finesse, the elegance are second to none. When you taste great wines, time stops. In a Zalto, it stops a little longer. Maybe we’re laying it on thick, but this glass is genuinely a benchmark, recognized in the world’s best restaurants and by the world’s best sommeliers. Such a pleasure to drink from. So if you’re going to own just one glass, make it the Zalto Universal.
The Zalto Burgundy, if you’re buying two
Sticking with the Austrian house. This time, the Zalto Burgundy. We won’t go as far as saying every grape needs its own glass, but the great Pinot Noirs really do deserve to be treated properly. Recognizable from across a room (and copied by plenty of others), the Burgundy is the brand’s bestseller, and rightly so. If great red Burgundies sit at the top of your wishlist, the Zalto Burgundy is for you.
The Eisch white wine glass, the underrated challenger
Eisch is a German maker still under the radar in France, but it absolutely deserves a wider audience for the quality of what it makes. Set in a Bavarian nature reserve, this family workshop has been passed down for nearly 100 years. Their white wine glasses are a real favorite, especially this one, legendarily fine, and we love using it for Champagne too, or for sparkling wines we love (like these Crémants de Bourgogne from the Cave de Lugny).
Riedel Fatto a Mano Performance
Riedel is a wine-world classic. You can fairly question their grape-by-grape philosophy, the one that says your glass cabinet should expand forever. That said, the brand makes some superb glasses, like this one tuned for Cabernet Sauvignon. It’ll bring out the best in the great reds you’ve been hiding away.
Lehmann Psyché 56cl, Fabrice Sommier collection for Champagne
Fabrice Sommier is one of the great French sommeliers, no question. He teamed up with this French maker on this Champagne glass. What we love is that most brands actually make Champagne flutes (or coupes), not Champagne glasses. Here you get a real glass for Champagne, one that lets these delicious sparklers shine. You can also use it for whites with some barrel age. The one knock: it’s mouth-blown from crystallin, which is a small step down in quality. But you can’t have it all.
The Zalto Balance, the latest from the iconic house
Didn’t see this coming. A thunderclap in the glassware world. The Austrian icon’s newest baby, after years on top, they keep surprising us, and 2024 brought this one. It stands out for elegance and proportions. It’s perfect for wines that have spent time in oak, drawing out the most refined nectars. It hasn’t really hit the restaurant scene yet, so here’s your chance to be a step ahead of the Michelin crowd. Eyes closed, grab the Zalto Balance.
Josephine Hütte n°3, the UFO in the room
The Josephine Hütte n°3 is a bit of a UFO in the wine glass world. The young brand has carved out a wholly new style that does our tables some good. The glass is big, better suited to powerful, oak-aged reds. Quality is high. Mouth-blown and made by hand, you get a finish on par with the very best names.
Eisch Grand Cru red wine glass
Eisch makes plenty of red wine glasses. Personally, we adore the Grand Cru red. Don’t be intimidated by the size, but what a joy to drink from. It’ll showcase your most beautiful red bottles. You’ve coddled them for years in your wine cellar, and the Grand Cru will rise to the occasion. If you’re about to open a Burgundy (or a great Pinot Noir from anywhere else), reach for the Zalto Burgundy described above. But for every other great red, this is your glass.
Spiegelau Universal
Spiegelau is the value-for-money play. Solid quality at a friendly price. If you’re going to use these every day, this is a smart alternative. Their Universal glass is well-made, and pros tend to spot them at major tasting events.
Zalto water glass, because the magic shouldn’t stop at wine
Humans are mostly water. So is wine, by the way. It would be a shame to forget the water glasses and end up with a chaotic table. Picture the contrast: gorgeous, fine, hand-picked wine glasses next to some thick, ugly, charmless water glass. We can’t let you do that. Reach for the Zalto water glass. The only flaw, it’s so pleasant, you’ll never want to put it down, even on weeknights.
