Where to buy wine glasses? An overview of your options

You can buy wine glasses in many places these days. From large kitchen stores and department stores to specialized online wine shops and brands that sell directly to consumers. The selection is vast, and the price differences are significant. Where you buy them best depends on what you're looking for: everyday glasses for normal use, crystal glasses for special occasions, or a set as a gift.

Buying Online: Wide Selection and Easy Comparison

Online, the selection of wine glasses is the largest. You can easily compare brands and models by price, material, capacity, and reviews. Most online stores display clear product specifications such as the bowl's capacity, weight, height, and material. This makes it easier to make an informed choice than in a physical store where you are dependent on what's on the shelf.

An advantage of buying directly from a brand is that you know exactly what you're getting. You buy directly from the source, without intermediaries driving up the price. Mémoire sells its wine glasses directly through its own webshop. The Amore wine glasses are available in a set of two and a set of six, made of high-quality lead-free crystal glass and designed for everyday use.

Kitchen Stores and Department Stores

In physical kitchen stores and department stores, you can see and hold wine glasses before you buy them. This is an advantage if you want to assess the shape, weight, and sturdiness. The selection in physical stores is more limited than online, but large kitchen stores generally have a good selection in various price ranges.

Department stores often offer cheaper sets that are suitable for everyday use but less so for those looking for truly quality glass. The prices are low, but the material is thicker and less clear than crystal glass. For those who don't want to spend a lot and primarily use the glasses during the week, this is not a problem. For those who pay more attention to the appearance and the experience of drinking wine, the difference with crystal glass is noticeable.

Specialized Wine Shops

Wine shops sell not only wine but also wine accessories, including wine glasses. The advantage of a wine shop is the staff's knowledge. They can advise on which glass suits which type of wine and why one bowl shape works better than another. The selection is often narrower than at a large kitchen store, but the quality of the glasses they sell is generally higher.

Wine shops often focus on renowned European glass brands. These are high-quality glasses but also on the more expensive side. For those looking for a set that will last a long time and looks beautiful, it's a good investment. Do you want to know what to look for when choosing wine glasses? Then read what the best wine glasses are.

Buying Second-Hand Wine Glasses

Second-hand wine glasses can be found on marketplaces, at thrift stores, and through online selling platforms. This can be a good way to get crystal glasses at a lower price, especially if it's a complete set from a well-known brand. However, pay attention to the condition of the glasses: check for hairline cracks, streaks, grinding marks on the rim, or damage to the stem. These are sometimes only visible when you hold the glass up to the light.

A disadvantage of buying second-hand is that you rarely find a complete and undamaged set. Glasses from a set are broken and replaced at different times, so the sizes and styles don't always match. For those who want a uniform set on the table, buying new is the better choice.

Buying Wine Glasses as a Gift

A set of wine glasses is a gift that lasts a long time and is used regularly. When buying online, it's useful to choose a webshop that offers neat packaging, especially if the gift is sent directly to the recipient. Mémoire delivers its glasses in neat packaging, suitable as a gift for a housewarming, birthday, or anniversary.

If you want to combine wine glasses with other wine accessories as a gift, check out Mémoire's collection of accessories for additional options such as wine openers and champagne stoppers.

What to Look For When Buying Wine Glasses?

Regardless of where you buy, there are a few things always worth checking. The capacity of the bowl: for red wine, 400 to 600 ml is common; for white wine, 300 to 400 ml. The material: crystal glass is thinner, lighter, and clearer than regular glass. The wall thickness: the thinner the wall, the more refined the glass feels in use. The stem: long enough to hold the glass without warming the bowl. And the base: wide and flat enough to stand stably on the table.

View Mémoire's collection of wine glasses for an overview of available models and sets, directly orderable via the webshop with shipping within 24 hours.

How Many Wine Glasses Do You Need?

Before you buy, it's helpful to know how many glasses you actually need. That depends on your household and how often you host guests. Read more in how many wine glasses you need at home.