3 of the Best Inexpensive Wine Glasses, According to Sommeliers and Wine Experts

There are tons of incredibly expensive wine glasses that promise to help you savor your favorite Bordeaux. These glasses tout special shapes to help release aromas oh-so precisely or direct the wine to different sensory zones of the tongue. And look, I’m not here to tell you that they don’t work. What I am here to talk about is the fact that you don’t have to break the bank to get a great wine glass. Wine experts agree!

I asked a few sommeliers and wine consultants to share their top, budget-friendly wine glasses. Here’s what they had to say.

“If you are on a tight budget, I recommend searching for universal/all-purpose wine glasses. They are a great choice, as they provide a pretty solid tasting experience no matter the type of wines you are drinking. A lot of companies will try to sell you a wide range of wine glasses based on style, region, etc., but I find a good-quality set of universal wine glasses is all you need to enjoy your wines at home. I highly recommend Crate & Barrel’s Aspen All-Purpose Big Wine Glass or Kira All-Purpose Wine Glass, which are great inexpensive wine glass options — good-sized, durable, and dishwasher-safe. The best part is that you can buy these as singles, so if you break one (which happens), you can just walk into a store and purchase another!” — Lydia Richards, of Vino Concierge and Hispanics in Wine and Certified Sommelier

“When it comes to wine glasses, I am all about durability and practicality. The Stolzle Grand Cuvée All-Purpose Wine Glass is sturdy and well-balanced, due to the glass’s seamless shape, without compromising on elegance. These are our wine glasses of choice for tastings at the shop; I’ve found they are so reliable not just for delivering an enjoyable drinking experience, but also for staying intact after every use (and after the occasional spill or tumble). The Grand Cuvée collection is made from 100% lead-free crystal, so the glasses remain shiny and clear wash after wash, too.” — Emilia Alvarez, Wine Consultant and Project Manager at Martin Brothers Wine & Spirits

“My less expensive top pick is the Gabriel-Glas. These are perfect for Champagne, white, or red. A true universal glass and dishwasher-safe, so I don’t mind if my friends use them when they come over. Even people who prefer Zalto glasses tend to be appeased by these.” — Thatcher Baker-Briggs, Consult and Wine Entrepreneur of Thatcher’s Wine Consulting 

Do you have a favorite inexpensive wine glass? Tell us about it in the comments!