Great wine and cocktail glasses may be approached in one of two ways. The first is to pay particular attention to the components—materials, volume, and curves—that affect our perception of flavor. The second is to simply evaluate a vessel based on its appearance; the sexier the vessel, the better. Both strategies were taken into account in order to determine the top unique wine glasses now on the market, albeit, admittedly, the seductive element was given more weight.
The collectible-worthy vessels up front have won praise from critics, are expertly made, and nearly always have a backstory. The following items enhance the flavor of every cocktail they carry, whether they are hand blown in Brooklyn, ethically sourced, or influenced by old Japanese glassware.
11 Unique Wine Glasses to Elevate Any Cocktail Hour
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Few things make us more eager to indulge in our preferred libation, be it wine, kombucha, or a spritzy mocktail, than a nice glass. These recycled glass goblets from Guatemala are ideal for any evening beverage on tap. They are raised while yet giving the table a casual atmosphere. These are some of the toughest and most distinctive wine glasses we’ve encountered, despite the fact that their lovely, wabi-sabi nature may make them appear fragile.
Maison Balzac
Elise Pioch Balzac, a French-born Sydney resident, founded this fun collection of candles and glassware in 2012. It gives classic daily items a stylish makeover. (This makes sense because Balzac worked at Hermès prior to starting her own company.)
La Rochere
The most popular line of the centuries-old French glassware company, commonly referred to as “the bee glasses,” features the recognizable Napoleonic emblem and is thankfully dishwasher-safe.
Estelle Colored Glasses
Polish glass artisans hand-blow Stephanie Summerson Hall’s tabletop jewels, which come in a variety of gemstone colors and were inspired by the antique treasure hunts her grandmother, Estelle, would take her on in South Carolina.
Mamo X Coming Soon NYC
Coming Soon NYC is a wonderful mine of modern, design-conscious firms, both in its physical location in Manhattan and online. However, they periodically release exclusives, such as this color block partnership with Mamo.
R + D Lab
R+D Lab, established in Italy, collaborates with small, traditional manufacturers and craftsmen to produce ethical glassware inspired by fashion, art, and architecture. Using jade green Borosilicate glass, the cooperation with artist Alice Gao is created below.
Fortessa
Fortessa fans, enjoy this entertaining tale. I once saw how a local Facebook yard sale group nearly brought down Nordstrom’s website when a mistake allowed the company’s vibrant, beaded highball glasses to be advertised for less than a dollar each. To my dismay, Nordstrom cancelled the orders, but I’ll never forget the enthusiasm these striking glasses generated. They are without a doubt worth the entire cost.
Casa Zuma
These wabi-sabi beauties from Casa Zuma, Camille Styles’ new collection of handcrafted, nature-inspired home goods, deserve a special mention. The greatest stemless wine glasses are made by Casa Zuma in Oaxaca from locally sourced recycled glass and are sized for both water and wine (or even a votive candle—they do it all).
Hot Haus
The Hot Haus studio creates delicate home items inspired by nature and infused with lovely splashes of color. It was founded by two female glass artisans in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019.
Hay
Here’s a glassware as art recommendation for you: the MoMA Design Store carries the Danish-inspired brand. Hay creates architectural, international pieces, such as these delicate, subtly colored glasses, in collaboration with outstanding designers from all around the world.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen
The French-American designer creates unique treasures that also work wonderfully in any room of your house. And while though Jacobson sells flowers, lamps, and even organic linen napkins, her most recognizable products are her distinctive glassware.