A stemless wine glass is just like it sounds—a wine glass without the long stem and bottom plate piece. These vessels are sometimes still made from glass, but you can also find them made from plastic or even an insulated material. They can be used for most types of wine. But the best part about stemless wine glasses? They can be used almost anywhere, any time. I chatted with a Master Sommelier about what to consider when looking for stemless wine glasses and when they are best used. “Stemless wine glasses are popular now because they are easy to care for and place in the dishwasher. They typically don’t break as often and ultimately do the job of getting wine to you,” says Master Sommelier George Miliotes, proprietor of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. Here are a few stemless wine glasses to consider depending on what type of wine you like to drink and where and how you like to enjoy it. What We Don’t Love: The thin rim can break easily if you are not careful The No. 1 suggestion I get for stemless wine glasses worth buying is these ones from Stolzle Lausitz. These German-made all-purpose glasses have a unique, pretty shape many reviewers love, and it allows you to use the vessels for both red and white wine. But yes, they are branded for red wine, and for good reason: The slope of the wall and the wide bottom allow the wine to breathe and bring forth all of the expressions it has to offer. Each glass has a broad, flat bottom, making it even less likely to tip over than the typical stemless wine glass—although do take care, because the lead-free crystal is thin, especially at the lip. But even with the wide bottom, these lightweight glasses feel good in the hand, say some reviewers. Best Style for: Red or white wines | Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 17.5 ounces What We Don’t Love: The rim isn’t as thin as most high-end wine glasses There are two major things to look for in a stemless wine glass: “a sheer rim, as with any good wine glass, and the basic tulip shape of a classic stemmed glass for the bowl itself,” says Master Sommelier George Miliotes, proprietor of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. Pottery Barn’s Vino Stemless Wine Glasses meet these two criteria—and don’t break the bank. The set of four is made from molded glass and can be used for red or white wine. The glasses are easy to care for since they are dishwasher-safe. The set is ideal for the casual wine drinker, especially if they like to have friends or family over to share their bottle of wine. Another option, if you don’t need a set of just one type of stemless glass, is to shop for individual ones from Crate & Barrel’s Vineyard Collection. There are both white wine and red wine glasses on offer, all made from fine, hand-blown crystal and available at a reasonable price. “I love my stemless wine glasses from Crate & Barrel. They have a timeless elegance and have proven to be quite durable,” says Emma Christensen, our Editor in Chief. Best Style for: Red or white wines | Material: Soda lime glass | Capacity: 16.75 ounces What We Don’t Love: Large bowl may make them hard to store or hold (for smaller hands) The shape of a stemless wine glass bowl, rather than the lack of stem, is what’s most important to look for, according to Miliotes. “As long as the bowl itself is a good-quality tulip shape, there will be no shift in the taste of the wine,” the Master Sommelier adds. For those who only drink red wine, consider a glass like this one from Schott Zwiesel, which has a larger bowl and base. This will allow your red wine to breathe and release all of its potential before drinking it. The glass is meant to be an everyday drinking glass, and it’s made to be chip-, scratch-, and break-resistant, which some reviewers vouched for. Yet despite its sturdiness, the shape and design of the glass are modern and unique, meaning you can still drink your favorite everyday wine in style. BestS tyle for: Red wines | Material: Crystal glass | Capacity: 16 ounces What We Don’t Love: The glass can lose its shine if not cared for properly The slight slope in the ends of these stemless wine glasses will bring out any nuance in your white wine, without the need for a varietal-specific glass. The non-leaded glass won’t add any extra scents or tastes to your wine so you’ll be able to pick up the full expression. Plus, the design is both practical enough for casual, everyday use and modern enough to use in more sophisticated settings. The glass is easy to hold and has a sturdy base so it won’t be knocked over easily—and yet, it doesn’t feel heavy, many reviewers rave. Best Style for: White wine | Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 14.5 ounces What We Don’t Love: Very fragile If you’re looking for a stemless wine glass that has a beautifully unique pattern and adds a bit of glam to your table (without being over the top), consider these Waterfall glasses by Anthropologie. Each glass is handpainted with a simple yet elegant “waterfall” design (darker color at the bottom of the glass that fades towards the lip). The set comes in four motifs: purple (which is more a purple-blue), mint, honey, and pink. Those who’ve purchased this set say they provide just the right amount of pop to elevate their kitchen and table setting and that they’re not heavy but aren’t too thin, either. However, a few reviewers say they are very delicate—they should be hand-washed with care. Best style for: Red or white wine | Material: Handpainted crystalline glass | Capacity: 10 ounces What We Don’t Love: The cups should be hand-washed only Corkcicle has become synonymous with stemless wine glasses because they are durable and easy to maintain. The triple-insulated wine cup will keep white wines chilled for several hours, frosé at the perfect slushy consistency, and even red wines at the ideal drinking temperature. You can also use it for hot drinks, which the cup will keep hot for about 3 hours. The glass has a nonslip silicone bottom and a shatterproof see-through lid. Plus, it comes in many colors, including rose quartz, powder blue, and turquoise. Reviewers love the comfortable, easy grip (which helps with spills) and that it keeps drinks cold even after a long time lounging in the sun. These are perfect for a picnic or a pool party. Best style for: Any type of wine | Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12 ounces
What to Look for When Buying Stemless Wine Glasses
Material
Look for glasses made of crystal, which typically make for the best wine-drinking experience. Sturdy crystal glass means these vessels are durable but still fine, and many are dishwasher-safe.
Style
Look for glasses that match your other alcohol glasses, such as champagne or coupe glasses. Some of these stemless wine glasses are part of a larger collection with the same or similar colors and designs. Stemless wine glasses lend themselves to a contemporary aesthetic, so they’re a good option if you’re looking to make your table setting more modern.
Shape and Capacity
Look for glasses that hold at least 6 ounces of wine, (though they can hold up to 13 ounces). Stemless wine glasses that are designed for white wine are typically smaller than those meant for red, which should have a large, wide bowl.
Why should I use stemless wine glasses?
Stemless wine glasses are ideal for a casual and/or modern setting. They tend to break less often and are more durable than a traditional stemmed glass. These types of glasses are usually dishwasher-safe, making cleaning up a breeze.
How do I hold a stemless wine glass?
According to our expert, Master Sommelier George Miliotes, Proprietor of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, you can hold a stemless wine glass any way you want. However, keep in mind that if you hold a stemless wine glass by the bowl, your hand may warm the wine, which could be either good or bad depending on the ideal drinking temperature of that type of wine.
Are stemless wine glasses for red or white wines?
Stemless wine glasses are for any variety of wine you enjoy. “I love stemless glasses, and when I use them at home I can drink anything from sparkling wine to dessert wine and everything in between,” says Miliotes.
How do I wash a stemless wine glass?
You should always wash your stemless wine glass according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the glass maintains its quality after use. Most stemless wine glasses are dishwasher-safe, but some will need to be hand-washed.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
This article was written by Megan duBois, who is a kitchen and lifestyle expert for Simply Recipes. Throughout her career she has tested an endless amount of products, from TikTok-famous gadgets to chef-approved knife sets. To choose the best products for this article, she consulted product reviews, interviewed an expert, and considered each stemless wine glass’ design, functionality, and price to make wise choices for the consumer. Read Next: The Best Drinking Glasses
