If you have spent any time around here, you know I take happy hour seriously. Between my wine subscriptions to Dynamis Estate Wines in Jonesville, NC and DaVero Farms & Winery in Healdsburg, CA in and a genuine love of North Carolina wineries, I have become increasingly intentional about what I am sipping out of — not just what is in the glass. I am excited to share some of my favorite wine glass styles after making a deliberate effort to streamline my collection a few years ago.
I have added some new favorites since I initially wrote this article, so I am rounding up the wine glass styles I love and actually reach for, along with a few additions I have been eyeing. Whether you are building a collection from scratch or upgrading what you already have, these are some styles worth knowing about.
This article was originally published in September 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated for April 2026.
The Best Wine Glass Styles to Add to Your Collection
Stemless Wine Glasses
Stemless glasses are my everyday go-to. I love these from Crate & Barrel because they are genuinely multifunctional — they work just as well for water, a highball, a cold soup, or a little dessert situation as they do for wine. They come in singles or a set of 12, which makes them easy to stock up on. I also like this option if you want something a little different.
Why stemless? The relaxed shape is great for casual entertaining, and you do not have to worry about the stem snapping. Just keep in mind that your hands will warm the wine a bit faster, so they are best for reds or room-temp whites.
Rosé & Champagne Glasses
This is my newest addition and I am genuinely obsessed. The Riedel Extreme Rosé/Champagne Glass is a tulip-bowled stemmed glass that works beautifully for both sparkling rosé and champagne — and honestly, it is a fun way to elevate happy hour. The bowl is generous enough to let the aromas open up, and the shape highlights those red berry and stone fruit notes you want from a good rosé. It comes in a set of two, is dishwasher safe (a win), and Riedel consistently delivers on quality, and the Extreme line is a great entry point if you are looking to invest in a brand that will last.
Why a rosé-specific glass? A tulip-shaped bowl concentrates the delicate floral and fruit aromas of rosé wines while preserving the bubbles in sparkling styles — it is doing double duty in the best possible way.
White Wine Glasses
Honestly, these Williams Sonoma Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glasses are what started this whole stemware overhaul for me. The shape is so elegant, and they make any white — a crisp Pinot Grigio, a dry Vinho Verde, even a chilled rosé — feel like a proper occasion.
Why white wine glasses? The smaller bowl keeps the wine cooler longer and concentrates the brighter, more delicate aromas that white wines are known for.
Cabernet / Red Wine Glasses
I have really leaned into red wine over the past few years, and these Schott Zwiesel Cabernet Glasses have been a revelation. The larger bowl gives the wine room to breathe, which makes a real difference in the finish. I broke mine in with a cabernet from one of my favorite western NC vineyards that I picked up at The Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock — a perfect pairing in every sense.
Why a dedicated red wine glass? The wide bowl increases surface area, softening tannins and allowing the wine’s full aroma to open up before you take a sip.
Burgundy / Pinot Noir Glasses
I could not resist the shape of these Schott Zwiesel Burgundy Glasses. The round, balloon-like bowl is specifically designed for Pinot Noir and other delicate reds — it concentrates those subtle aromatics in a way a standard red wine glass just cannot. They are also gorgeous around a fire pit or at a fall backyard picnic.
Why Burgundy glasses? The wide, round bowl with a narrower rim captures and concentrates the delicate fruit aromas of lighter reds, guiding the wine to exactly the right part of your palate.
Estelle Colored Glass
If you have not discovered Estelle Colored Glass yet, prepare yourself. This is the brand I recommend when someone wants stemware that is as beautiful on a shelf as it is in hand. Estelle’s hand-blown colored glassware has a vintage, heirloom quality that no other brand quite matches — and they make several styles worth adding to your collection.
Stemless Wine Glasses
Estelle’s colored stemless wine glasses are my pick for entertaining when I want the table to feel a little more special without going full formal. The color catches the light in the best way, and they come in a range of shades so you can mix, match, or coordinate with your table setting. They have all the everyday practicality of a stemless glass with significantly more personality. I have the iridescent set of 6.
Champagne Coupe Glasses
The Estelle coupe glasses are stunning. The wide, shallow bowl is the classic champagne coupe shape — gorgeous for sparkling wine, aperitivo spritzes, or a fun cocktail moment. They also photograph beautifully, which never hurts. If you are looking for a glass that doubles as a conversation piece, this is it. I have a set of iridescent and smoked Amber glasses.
Why a coupe? The broad bowl lets the bubbles dissipate faster than a flute, which means coupe glasses are better suited for still wines, cocktails, or lightly sparkling wines where you want the aromatics to open up rather than preserve carbonation.
Wine Glasses
Estelle’s stemmed wine glasses bring all the color and craftsmanship of the brand in a classic silhouette. If you want one style that crosses the line between everyday use and special occasion, this is a strong contender. They are the kind of glasses you will find yourself reaching for even on a Tuesday.
Shop My Favorite Wine Glass Styles Here
A Note on Building Your Collection
You do not need a glass for every single varietal. What I do recommend: start with a solid set of stemless for everyday use, add a white wine glass and a red wine glass (or a universal glass that works for both), and then build in the specialty styles — champagne glasses, Burgundy glasses — as you find wines you genuinely love.
Quality over quantity really does make a difference here. Brands like Schott Zwiesel and Riedel are worth the investment. If you are newer to wine, a good universal glass is a great place to start before you commit to a full collection.
What are your favorite wine glass styles? Let me know in a comment below!
