Universal glasses · Buying guide
Best Universal Wine Glasses: One Glass for Every Wine
By Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier15 years serving wine
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Short on time? The sommelier’s picks
Schott Zwiesel Forté Burgundy, set of 6$$
AmazonCheck today’s priceChef & Sommelier Open Up Universal$
AmazonCheck today’s priceZalto Denk’Art Universal$$$$
AmazonCheck today’s price
The short answer
A universal wine glass is one glass for every wine: white, sparkling and red.
If you are not buying a full collection of wine glasses, I suggest one of two shapes: a Burgundy glass, or a Chianti-size glass, bigger than a white wine glass and smaller than a Bordeaux glass.
There is no rule. What matters most is that the glass makes your wine enjoyable.
Why one glass
One glass for the whole table
Imagine Christmas night, Thanksgiving night, or any special night. Someone is drinking white wine, someone sparkling wine, someone red wine, and every wine is different. With universal glasses, everyone at the table holds exactly the same glass.
The good news: today there are many good wine glasses in this size, and you can enjoy them. There is no rule. The most important question is whether the glass is enjoyable and gives you an experience.
For a high-quality red wine, a Bordeaux glass is fine, and a white wine glass is fine too. But a universal glass lets the wine breathe and elevates your wine tasting. That is why I suggest universal wine glasses.
Before you buy
How to spot a good universal glass in 10 seconds
First understand what you are drinking, and the moment you want to share the wine. Ask yourself:
- 01
What wine do you drink most?
White, red, sparkling, or a little of everything. Start there.
- 02
What is the moment?
Every day, a Friday night, pizza night, a wine night, or a celebration.
- 03
Love Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?
Go for the Burgundy glass. White and red both work in it.
- 04
Drinking wine every day?
Go for a Chianti-size glass: bigger than a white wine glass, smaller than a Bordeaux glass.
- 05
Want the one universal glass?
Go for the Zalto Universal. For a celebration or a special night, a Riedel.
- 06
Can you take care of it?
Hand-made crystal like Zalto is fragile and breaks easily. Know that before you buy.
The two shapes I suggest
Burgundy or Chianti-size?
The Burgundy glass
- Size
- A large, round balloon bowl
- Wines
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, white and red
- Moment
- For the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lover
See my picks ↓
The Chianti-size glass
- Size
- Bigger than a white wine glass, smaller than a Bordeaux glass
- Wines
- White, red, and sparkling wine or Champagne
- Moment
- Every day, Friday night, pizza night, wine night
See my picks ↓
Shape one
The Burgundy glass
If you don’t go for a full collection of wine glasses, go for the Burgundy glass. You can enjoy white wine and red wine in it: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
If you are a big lover of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, go for it. I believe it is the glass every wine lover should have. More on why in red wine glass vs white wine glass.
Price level: $ budget · $$ everyday · $$$ mid-range · $$$$ premium. The buttons show today’s price on Amazon.
- 01
Start here
Schott Zwiesel Forté Burgundy
Set of 6 · 25 oz · Tritan crystal, made in Germany · $$
Six glasses at an approachable price, so you can try the Burgundy glass with your own white and red wines. It is Schott Zwiesel’s Tritan crystal from Germany, and it is dishwasher safe.
- 02
For a special night
Riedel Vinum Pinot Noir (Burgundy)
Set of 2 · crystal · dishwasher safe · $$$
When you celebrate something, a special night, I suggest Riedel. This is the Burgundy balloon in crystal, two in the box.
- 03
The finest
Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy
1 glass · 32 oz · hand-blown in Austria · $$$$
For a great Chardonnay or a great Pinot Noir. It is the largest bowl in the Zalto line, hand-blown and very light, so handle it with care. More in my Zalto Burgundy guide.
Shape two
The Chianti-size glass
For daily drinking, a wine night, a Friday night or pizza night, go for something like a Chianti glass: bigger than a white wine glass, smaller than a Bordeaux glass.
You can enjoy white wine and red wine in it, and you can pour sparkling wine and Champagne too. You really get the aroma.
For every night, leave the delicate glasses for special nights. The stem should be strong, but not thick and heavy. When you choose, look for that Chianti size. These are my everyday picks.
Price level: $ budget · $$ everyday · $$$ mid-range · $$$$ premium. The buttons show today’s price on Amazon.
- 01
Friendly price
Chef & Sommelier Open Up Universal
Crystalline glass, made in France · $
Chef & Sommelier’s universal glass, for red, white and sparkling. An everyday glass at a friendly price.
- 02
For the dishwasher
Schott Zwiesel Tritan (universal)
Tritan crystal, made in Germany · $$
Sturdy, and made for daily washing. A glass for the nights when many hands do the washing up.
- 03
A Riedel for every night
Riedel Veloce
Machine-made crystal · $$$
Riedel’s modern everyday line: light, with a larger base for stability, for wine any night of the week.
If you want the one glass
The Zalto Universal
The list can be longer, and there are many good-quality glasses. But if you want a universal glass, go for the Zalto Universal.
It holds 530 ml and is hand-blown in Austria. It is a hand-made crystal glass, so it is fragile and can break very easily: take care of it. More in my Zalto Universal guide.
Set of 2 · 530 ml · hand-blown in Austria · $$$$
Don’t forget
Take care of the glass
Some glasses are fragile, and some can break very easily. If you buy a high-quality, premium glass like Zalto, remember it is hand-made crystal.
Check that before you buy, and ask yourself where you are going to enjoy the wine. How to wash them: dishwasher-safe wine glasses.
Buy smart
Is the right glass important? Yes. Is it really necessary? No.
You can buy, but buy smart: choose the glass for the wine you drink and the moment you share it.
All my picks side by side
Schott Zwiesel Forté Burgundy
Shop- Shape
- Burgundy
- For
- Start here
- Price
- $$
Riedel Vinum Pinot Noir
Shop- Shape
- Burgundy
- For
- A special night
- Price
- $$$
Zalto Denk’Art Burgundy
Shop- Shape
- Burgundy
- For
- Great Chardonnay, great Pinot Noir
- Price
- $$$$
Chef & Sommelier Open Up Universal
Shop- Shape
- Universal
- For
- Every day, friendly price
- Price
- $
Schott Zwiesel Tritan (universal)
Shop- Shape
- Universal
- For
- Every day, the dishwasher
- Price
- $$
Riedel Veloce
Shop- Shape
- Everyday
- For
- Every night
- Price
- $$$
Zalto Denk’Art Universal
Shop- Shape
- Universal
- For
- One glass for everything
- Price
- $$$$
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
My picks from this guide
Ready to choose?
One click shows today’s price on Amazon.
- Check today’s price
Schott Zwiesel Forté Burgundy, set of 6$$
- Check today’s price
Chef & Sommelier Open Up Universal$
- Check today’s price
Zalto Denk’Art Universal$$$$
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Universal wine glass FAQ
What is a universal wine glass?
One glass for every wine: white, sparkling and red. At a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, someone drinks white, someone sparkling, someone red, and everyone holds exactly the same glass.
What is the best universal wine glass?
It depends on what you drink and the moment. If you love Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, a Burgundy glass. For every day, a Chianti-size glass, bigger than a white wine glass and smaller than a Bordeaux glass. If you want the one universal glass, the Zalto Universal.
Can you drink red and white wine from the same glass?
Yes. A Burgundy glass serves Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a Chianti-size glass serves white and red wine. There is no rule: what matters is that the glass makes the wine enjoyable.
Can you serve Champagne in a universal wine glass?
Yes. In a Chianti-size glass you can pour sparkling wine and Champagne too, and you really get the aroma.
What size should a universal wine glass be?
For every day, a Chianti-size glass: bigger than a white wine glass, smaller than a Bordeaux glass. The Burgundy glass is bigger, a large round balloon bowl.
Are Zalto universal glasses fragile?
Yes. Zalto glasses are hand-made crystal, so they are fragile and can break very easily. Take care of them, and know that before you buy.
Do you really need a universal wine glass?
Is the right glass important? Yes. Is it really necessary? No. You can buy, but buy smart: choose the glass for the wine you drink and the moment you share it.