Best Stemware Brands?

[pohlmad]

Recently, I’ve been getting more excited, curious and adventurous around wine. I attribute that primarily to the wonderful members of the forum showing how to enjoy it!  

That said, I have been drinking wines at home from mismatching, cloudy and sometimes even plastic stemware. When looking for some nicer, matching stemware, I’ve seen so many brands recommended online but trust this group knows best. Can you share your opinions on favorite brands of stemware?  Zalto, Riedel, other? 

I appreciate the member of this forum so much and thank you in advance for any advice!

[El Hoze]

We swapped out to Zalto years ago. They really do have a great feel in the hand. The only exceptions for me are I do like the Riedel Sommelier Grand Cru Burgundy for Burgundy/Pinot but I do not drink alot of it. I also typically drink Champagne from the Zalto Universals (or even occasionally the Bordeaux) but occasionally I will break out the Riedel Sommelier Champagne when I’m feeling the traditional flute. 

[Pvalue83]

1) I’ve really liked using the zalto denkart universal (which I would choose if I only had room for one style of wine glass).

2) the way I look at it, past 1) you really are into (albeit broad) varietal specifics.
2a) Champagne - I’ve really enjoyed the riedel veritas champagne glass (and you can pick these up for as little as $12 a glass online). They are also good for aromatic white wines (riesling etc) for a change from 1).
2b) Red wine - on any normal day I’m happy to use 1) but if I am feeling particularly obnoxious I will grab riedel sommelier burgundy grand cru (for lighter reds) or Bordeaux grand cru (for heavier reds). They are great fun.


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[SirVantes]

Instead of Zalto, which to me is just that bit too fragile, I would recommend the Spiegelau Definition universal glass (and also the smaller white wine glass). Same aesthetic as the more expensive Zalto, feel great in the hand and are more robust.  

If you don't want to use one glass (or shape) for everything, then any of the Riedel Premium range would be a good choice. Veritas has been mentioned; I find Veloce and Performance to feel finer, and I use the latter in the Bordeaux and Burgundy shape - those two will cover all red wine varietals, and bigger whites. You can add the champagne tulip glasses (or use the Spiegelau white wine) and then you're covered for riesling too.

It's down to personal preference, but I've gone off worrying about breakage (Zalto) or tipping over a glass that's almost a foot high (Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux Grand Cru).   

[pohlmad]

On 3/23/2026 at 4:04 AM, El Hoze said:

We swapped out to Zalto years ago. They really do have a great feel in the hand. The only exceptions for me are I do like the Riedel Sommelier Grand Cru Burgundy for Burgundy/Pinot but I do not drink alot of it. I also typically drink Champagne from the Zalto Universals (or even occasionally the Bordeaux) but occasionally I will break out the Riedel Sommelier Champagne when I’m feeling the traditional flute. 

Thanks for sharing your advice and experience. I have been looking at the Riedel Sommelier and it seems 2x the cost of Zalto for similar quality. I may have to graduate to that later if necessary. 

[pohlmad]

On 3/22/2026 at 1:12 PM, Pvalue83 said:

1) I’ve really liked using the zalto denkart universal (which I would choose if I only had room for one style of wine glass).

2) the way I look at it, past 1) you really are into (albeit broad) varietal specifics.
2a) Champagne - I’ve really enjoyed the riedel veritas champagne glass (and you can pick these up for as little as $12 a glass online). They are also good for aromatic white wines (riesling etc) for a change from 1).
2b) Red wine - on any normal day I’m happy to use 1) but if I am feeling particularly obnoxious I will grab riedel sommelier burgundy grand cru (for lighter reds) or Bordeaux grand cru (for heavier reds). They are great fun.

Thanks for sharing and I’m leaning towards getting multiple types of glasses since we entertain quite a bit. Thinking of universal, bourdeaux, burgundy, and champagne. I think it would cover the reds that we love, but allows for white and, of course, champagne to celebrate life!

[pohlmad]

On 3/22/2026 at 2:33 PM, SirVantes said:

Instead of Zalto, which to me is just that bit too fragile, I would recommend the Spiegelau Definition universal glass (and also the smaller white wine glass). Same aesthetic as the more expensive Zalto, feel great in the hand and are more robust.  

If you don't want to use one glass (or shape) for everything, then any of the Riedel Premium range would be a good choice. Veritas has been mentioned; I find Veloce and Performance to feel finer, and I use the latter in the Bordeaux and Burgundy shape - those two will cover all red wine varietals, and bigger whites. You can add the champagne tulip glasses (or use the Spiegelau white wine) and then you're covered for riesling too.

It's down to personal preference, but I've gone off worrying about breakage (Zalto) or tipping over a glass that's almost a foot high (Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux Grand Cru).

Thanks for sharing and I’ll take a look at Spiegelau as well!

[pohlmad]

@Ken Gargett would you have any other experience/advice on this given your expertise in this area?  

[Ken Gargett]

8 hours ago, pohlmad said:

@Ken Gargett would you have any other experience/advice on this given your expertise in this area?  

heaps of experience, perhaps less advice. 

zalto and riedel both excellent. crank up to riedel somms for something special. their other levels very good for day to day. others like schott and speigelau. riedel veritas chardonnay is a very good allrounder (pain in the proverbial to be forever changing).

my fave ever glass was a one-off which riedel did some years back. the central otago pinot glass. brilliant. seemed to be near perfect for everything. sadly i could only ever get one and it went to glass heaven a few years back. 

i bought a range of Syndonios glasses from France a few years back. ridiculously expensive but rather superb. i got them for peanuts as the local distributor was no longer going to represent them. just as well as they break if you so much as walk past them. honestly, they make zalto look like clay mugs in comparison, when it comes to the fragility stakes. if you are more careful than myself, and don't live in Oz, worth a look. 

[El Hoze]

19 hours ago, pohlmad said:

Thanks for sharing your advice and experience. I have been looking at the Riedel Sommelier and it seems 2x the cost of Zalto for similar quality. I may have to graduate to that later if necessary. 

I agree with that strategy. The Somm is not one I would have as my house glasses. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Schott are the best bang for the buck. I live in the town that is HQ for TJX Companies and their flagship stores are all in my town. We can buy glasses are giveaway prices.

I've also gone with IKEA red wine glasses. We used to do wine events at our house. One glass per wine. We had 7-8 people with 7-8 different glasses of wine at once and the glass count adds up. They are a fine standard shape and no tears shed if one breaks. World Market has some nice shapes especially their pinot noir glass that looks like a fancy Reidel Burgundy copy.

The big difference between cheaper and fancier glasses is the edge (among other things as well). Cheaper ones will have a rounded edge and fancier ones have a cut edge. The wine leaves the glass quite different between the two, but maybe not enough to warrant the cost.

[LBJC16]

Gabriel Glass is also a great universal option.

[CuriousObserver]

I have Schott red and white for everyday glasses. Riedel Somms for the fun days.  

[Fuzz AI]

I'm partial to Schott Zwiesel stemware. Due to some nerve issues, I've been getting a little clumsier, and have knocked over my glasses several times. Not a single one of my Schott Zwiesel glasses have shattered. My Mikasa glasses though, shatter if you look at them crossly.

[loose_axle]

On 3/24/2026 at 12:20 PM, pohlmad said:

Thanks for sharing and I’ll take a look at Spiegelau as well!

Second this. Have some Zalto and also highly rate the Chef & Sommelier Open Up range.