Sweet wine · A sommelier’s guide
Dessert Wine Glasses: A Sommelier’s Buying Guide
By Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier15 years serving wine
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Short on time? The sommelier’s picks
Zalto Denk’Art Sweet Wine, set of 2$$$$
AmazonCheck today’s priceRiedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert, set of 2$$$
AmazonCheck today’s priceStölzle Experience Sweet Wine, set of 6$
AmazonCheck today’s price
The short answer
A dessert wine glass is a small glass, the same idea as a port glass. Pour 40 to 80 ml.
In hotels the standard pour of dessert wine is 60 ml, and many hotel restaurants serve it in the same small glass as port. For a great Sauternes, a sweet wine glass from Zalto or Riedel raises the experience.
The glass
What glass do you use for dessert wine?
A dessert wine glass is the same idea as a port glass: small. Many hotel restaurants use the same small glass for both, and it works.
But the glass can change with the wine. Zalto and Riedel make special sweet wine glasses that raise the experience. A great Sauternes is an expensive wine, and it deserves its glass.
Size and pour
Dessert wine glass size, and how much to pour
From hotel service
In the hotel, 60 ml was the standard pour of dessert wine. At home, 40 to 80 ml, just like port.
- The pour
- 40–80 ml
- About 1.5–2.5 oz. In the hotel, 60 ml was the standard.
- The glass
- 190–356 ml
- About 6.5–12 oz. My three picks, smallest to largest.
- The shape
- Small
- The same idea as a port glass: a small bowl for a small pour.
Even in the bigger Zalto and Riedel glasses, the pour stays small. The extra room in the bowl is for the aroma, not for more wine.
Sauternes
Do you need a special glass for Sauternes?
Not always: you can serve any Sauternes in a good small glass and still enjoy it. But for a very good bottle, a dedicated sweet wine glass makes the evening better. My first choice is the Zalto below.
More in my guide to the Sauternes wine glass.
What to buy
The best dessert wine glasses: my three picks
Price level: $ budget · $$ everyday · $$$ mid-range · $$$$ premium. The buttons show today’s price on Amazon.
01
For a great Sauternes
Zalto Denk’Art Sweet Wine Glass
Set of 2 · 320 ml (10.8 oz) · $$$$
Best for: A very good Sauternes, a special night.
If you open a very good Sauternes from Bordeaux, this is my first choice. It is hand-blown crystal, and it raises the whole experience.
One honest warning: it is very delicate and breaks easily, so handle it with care. That is why some Amazon reviews are bad: the glass is that thin.
02
For any Sauternes
Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert Wine Glass
Set of 2 · 356 ml (12 oz) · $$$
Best for: Every style of dessert wine, at a good price.
You can serve any Sauternes in this glass, even an expensive one, and still enjoy it. You can enjoy every other style of dessert wine in it too.
It is crystal, dishwasher safe, and a good price for a Riedel.
03
The best value
Stölzle Lausitz Experience Sweet Wine Glass
Set of 6 · 190 ml (6.5 oz) · $
Best for: Any sweet wine, every day.
A crystal glass at a great price, and far less delicate than the Zalto: stronger and easy to use. It is perfect for Tokaji, Sauternes and ice wine.
You can serve any sweet wine in it, and even port and sweet sherry. The listing says impact-resistant and dishwasher safe.
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Side by side
Zalto Denk’Art Sweet Wine
Shop- Holds
- 320 ml (10.8 oz)
- In the box
- 2
- Dishwasher
- Yes, but very delicate
- Price
- $$$$
- For
- A great Sauternes
Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert
Shop- Holds
- 356 ml (12 oz)
- In the box
- 2
- Dishwasher
- Yes
- Price
- $$$
- For
- Any Sauternes, every style
Stölzle Experience Sweet Wine
Shop- Holds
- 190 ml (6.5 oz)
- In the box
- 6
- Dishwasher
- Yes
- Price
- $
- For
- Any sweet wine, best value
Which wines
One glass for every sweet wine
A good small sweet wine glass serves Sauternes, Tokaji and ice wine. My value pick, the Stölzle, even serves port and sweet sherry. For port, see my port wine glass guide.
Care
Are dessert wine glasses dishwasher safe?
All three of my picks are listed as dishwasher safe. The Zalto is very delicate, so handle it with care, in the dishwasher or by hand. More in my guide to washing wine glasses.
My picks from this guide
Ready to choose?
One click shows today’s price on Amazon.
- Check today’s price
Zalto Denk’Art Sweet Wine, set of 2$$$$
- Check today’s price
Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert, set of 2$$$
- Check today’s price
Stölzle Experience Sweet Wine, set of 6$
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dessert wine glass FAQ
What glass do you use for dessert wine?
A small glass, the same idea as a port glass. Many hotel restaurants serve dessert wine and port in the same small glass. For a great Sauternes, a dedicated sweet wine glass from Zalto or Riedel raises the experience.
What size is a dessert wine glass?
Small. My three picks hold 190 ml (Stölzle), 320 ml (Zalto) and 356 ml (Riedel). Whatever the glass, the pour stays small, 40 to 80 ml, so there is room above the wine for the aroma.
How much dessert wine do you pour?
In the hotel, 60 ml was the standard pour of dessert wine. At home, 40 to 80 ml, just like port.
Do you need a special glass for Sauternes?
Not always: you can serve any Sauternes in a good small glass, and the Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert Wine glass serves even an expensive one. For a very good bottle, my first choice is the Zalto sweet wine glass; it is very delicate, so handle it with care.
What glass for ice wine and Tokaji?
The same small sweet wine glass. My value pick, the Stölzle Lausitz Experience Sweet Wine glass, is perfect for Tokaji, Sauternes and ice wine.
Can I use a port glass for dessert wine?
Yes. A dessert wine glass is the same idea as a port glass, and many hotel restaurants use the same small glass for both. The Stölzle sweet wine glass serves any sweet wine, port and sweet sherry.
What is the best dessert wine glass?
For a great Sauternes, the Zalto Denk'Art Sweet Wine glass, my first choice, though it is very delicate. For any Sauternes and every style of dessert wine, the Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc / Dessert Wine glass. For the best value, the Stölzle Lausitz Experience Sweet Wine glass, sold in a set of 6.