Pinot Noir is a light-bodied, perfumed red, and the glass that suits it looks different from the tall, straight-sided Bordeaux glass most sets include. A Burgundy glass has a wide, round bowl that narrows toward a smaller rim, so a modest pour has plenty of room to be swirled and the aroma gathers at the top. If you drink Pinot Noir, red Burgundy, Gamay or Nebbiolo often, it is the one specialty shape worth adding to a cupboard.
This guide is the narrow version of our main guide to the best wine glasses, which covers universal, Cabernet and white wine glasses. Here we look only at Burgundy and Pinot Noir shapes, name the ones worth buying, and say plainly what each maker states about its crystal, including lead content.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which Pinot Noir glass to buy
For most people, the best wine glasses for Pinot Noir are the Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy glasses, set of two: a wide 23-ounce bowl, Tritan crystal that the maker describes as lead-free, made in Germany and sold as dishwasher safe. If you want a glass designed around Pinot Noir by name, choose the Riedel Extreme Pinot Noir. If you want one showpiece glass, the Zalto Burgundy is hand-blown and the largest bowl in Zalto’s range.
The rest of this page explains why, and which glass suits the way you pour.
Five Pinot Noir glasses compared
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of table, with the capacity and material each maker or listing states. All seven glasses are reviewed in full below.
| Pinot Noir glasses | Best for | Pieces & capacity | Material (as stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy Glasses, Set of 2Best overall
|
Pinot Noir at the family table | 2 x about 23 oz | Tritan crystal, lead-free (maker) | View on Amazon |
Riedel Extreme Pinot Noir Glasses, Set of 2Pinot-specific shape
|
A glass shaped for Pinot Noir | 2 x 770 ml (about 26 oz) | Machine-made crystal glass (see note) | View on Amazon |
Zalto Burgundy Glass, SingleSplurge pick
|
A special bottle | 1 x about 960 ml | Hand-blown lead-free crystal (listing) | View on Amazon |
| Casual dinners, tight shelves | 6 x 20 oz | SON.hyx lead-free crystal glass (listing) | View on Amazon | |
| A round bowl for less | 4 x 23 oz | Lead-free crystal (listing) | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacity, material and lead statements are as given by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks: the best wine glasses Pinot Noir deserves
These seven glasses all have the wide, rounded Burgundy-style bowl that suits Pinot Noir, and none of them repeats a pick from our main wine glass guide. They cover a lead-free pair and a sturdy set of six for everyday use, a glass Riedel designed specifically for Pinot Noir, a hand-blown splurge, a stemless option and a lower-cost set. Each pick explains who it suits, the specifications that matter and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy Glasses, Set of 2 – Wide Bowl, Lead-Free Tritan
The Pure Burgundy is the glass most households should start with: a properly wide Burgundy bowl, sold here as a pair, made from a crystal the maker describes as free of lead.
The listing gives a capacity of about 23 ounces, a height of 9.2 inches and a bowl diameter of 4.5 inches. Zwiesel Glas describes the shape as an “expansive bowl” meant to bring out the bouquet of round red wines such as Burgundy, which is exactly the job a Pinot Noir glass has. The Pure line is drawn with sharper, more angular contours than a classic balloon, so it reads as modern on the table while keeping the wide base that gives a light red room to move.
The material is Zwiesel Glas’s Tritan crystal, made in Germany. The maker says its Tritan glasses are made without lead, and product copy for the line explains that titanium and zirconium take the place lead once had in crystal. The listing calls the glasses dishwasher safe and credits the maker’s Tritan Glass Protect technology for their strength.
A pair is a practical way to start. It takes little shelf space, and you can add a second pair if you pour for a table of four. The two glasses are the same shape, which makes them easy to store.
Why we like it
- A wide Burgundy bowl of about 23 ounces
- Tritan crystal the maker describes as lead-free
- Sold as dishwasher safe
- Made in Germany
- A matching pair in one box
Key specifications
| Model | Pure Burgundy, 0026.112943 |
|---|---|
| Material | Tritan crystal glass |
| Capacity | About 23 oz |
| Count | 2 glasses |
| Dimensions | 9.2 in tall, 4.5 in diameter |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Germany |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (Zwiesel Glas) |
Why we recommend it
It gives a household a real Burgundy shape in a crystal that the maker says is lead-free and that is sold for the dishwasher. That combination is what most people drinking Pinot Noir at home actually need.
Skip it if you prefer a softly curved, traditional balloon. The Pure line’s angular profile is a matter of taste, and the Forté Burgundy further down is the rounder Zwiesel option.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide bowl for a light red
- Lead-free per the maker
- Dishwasher safe per the listing
- Easy to add to, a pair at a time
Cons
- Angular shape will not suit every table
- Tall glasses may not fit a low cabinet
2. Riedel Extreme Pinot Noir Glasses, Set of 2 – Designed Around Pinot Noir
Riedel built its name on glasses shaped for a single grape, and this one is drawn for Pinot Noir by name.
Riedel’s product page gives the glass a height of 243 millimeters, about 9.6 inches, and lists a capacity of 770 ml, roughly 26 ounces. The listing adds a width of about 4.4 inches. Riedel recommends a pour of just 125 ml, a little over 4 ounces, which shows how much of the bowl is meant to stay empty: the space above the wine is where the aroma collects. Riedel lists Pinot Noir, Gamay, Nebbiolo, Barolo and red Burgundy among the wines it suits.
The Extreme line has a distinctive diamond-shaped bowl with angled sides, which Riedel says is designed for fruit-forward wines. It is machine-made, which Riedel says brings consistency and everyday durability, and Riedel’s page says it is made in Bavaria, Germany, and is dishwasher safe.
On lead, Riedel’s wording is careful rather than absolute. Its frequently asked questions page says that since 2015 the company has produced only “Crystal Glass,” which it describes as a material “that does not use lead oxide as a principal ingredient.” Neither the product page nor the listing uses the words lead-free, so we report Riedel’s statement as written and leave the judgment to you. We left out Riedel’s Vinum Pinot Noir, which is in stock, because its Amazon listing states it is made with over 24% lead crystal.
Why we like it
- Designed for Pinot Noir by name, per Riedel
- Large 770 ml bowl with a recommended pour of 125 ml
- Machine-made in Bavaria, Germany
- Dishwasher safe, per Riedel
Key specifications
| Model | Extreme Pinot Noir, 4441/07 |
|---|---|
| Material | Machine-made crystal glass |
| Capacity | 770 ml (about 26 oz) |
| Count | 2 glasses |
| Dimensions | About 9.6 in tall, 4.4 in wide |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (Riedel) |
| Made in | Bavaria, Germany (Riedel) |
| Lead statement | “Does not use lead oxide as a principal ingredient” (Riedel FAQ) |
Why we recommend it
If you want a glass whose maker has designed it for Pinot Noir specifically, rather than for red wine in general, this is the clearest option in stock. It suits someone who already has an everyday set and wants a pair for better bottles.
Skip it if you want a maker to state plainly that the glass is lead-free. Riedel’s wording stops short of that, and the Zwiesel, Stölzle and Luigi Bormioli picks here are described as lead-free.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pinot-specific design
- Large bowl for swirling
- Dishwasher safe per Riedel
Cons
- Only two glasses in the box
- Lead wording is not a plain “lead-free”
- Angular bowl is a matter of taste
3. Stölzle Lausitz Quatrophil Burgundy Glasses, Set of 6 – Classic Round Bowl
The Quatrophil is the traditional Burgundy glass: a round bowl that narrows gently toward the rim, on a slender stem.
Stölzle Lausitz gives each glass a capacity of 24 ounces and names Burgundy and Pinot Noir as the wines it is designed for. The listing describes the material as lead-free crystal, made in Germany, shatter-resistant and dishwasher safe, and says the crystal is color-neutral so the wine’s color shows as it is. Height and bowl width are not stated on this listing. This is the six-glass set of the same 24-ounce glass.
Stölzle Lausitz has made glass since 1889, according to the listing, and the Quatrophil is one of several Burgundy shapes in its range. It is the rounder, more classic counterpart to the angular Zwiesel Pure. If you picture a Burgundy glass as a wide balloon that tucks in at the top, this is that shape.
Our main guide to wine glasses includes a different Stölzle Lausitz glass, the angular Power red; this Burgundy shape is a separate product for a separate job.
Why we like it
- Round Burgundy bowl that narrows at the rim
- 24-ounce capacity
- Lead-free crystal, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe and German-made, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Quatrophil Burgundy (number not stated on this listing) |
|---|---|
| Material | Crystal glass |
| Capacity | 24 oz |
| Count | 6 glasses |
| Dimensions | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Germany |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants the familiar, rounded Burgundy silhouette from an established German glassmaker, in a lead-free crystal that goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you need to know the exact height before you buy. The listing does not give dimensions, so measure your cabinet and dishwasher rack against a glass you already own of similar capacity.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Traditional rounded shape
- Lead-free per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Dimensions not stated
- Six glasses take more cabinet space
4. Zalto Burgundy Glass, Single – Hand-Blown and Very Large
Zalto’s Burgundy is the largest glass in the Austrian maker’s collection, and it is sold here as a single glass.
The listing gives a height of 9.1 inches, a width of 4.9 inches at the widest point and a capacity of roughly 960 ml, about 32 ounces. It names Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo and Syrah as the wines it is designed to show. The listing describes the glass as hand-blown by European glassblowers from lead-free crystal, and explains that the bowl’s angles follow the tilt of the earth at 24, 48 and 72 degrees, which is Zalto’s signature design idea.
Hand-blown glass this size is light and thin, and that is both the appeal and the risk. Our main guide recommends Zalto’s Universal glass as an all-round splurge; the Burgundy is the shape to add if Pinot Noir is what you open for special dinners.
This listing does not state whether the glass is dishwasher safe. Zalto’s six-glass Burgundy listing says it is, but with a single expensive, thin glass, careful hand washing is the safer habit.
Why we like it
- Hand-blown lead-free crystal, per the listing
- About 960 ml capacity, the largest Zalto bowl
- Designed for Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, per the listing
- Buy one or two rather than a full set
Key specifications
| Model | Zalto Burgundy |
|---|---|
| Material | Hand-blown crystal |
| Capacity | About 960 ml (about 32 oz) |
| Count | 1 glass |
| Dimensions | 9.1 in tall, 4.9 in wide |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated on this listing |
| Made in | Hand-blown in Europe; designed in Austria |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (listing) |
Why we recommend it
For a wine lover who wants one exceptional glass for the best bottle in the house, or a gift for someone who does, this is the most refined Burgundy shape we found in stock.
Skip it if the glasses will see daily use or a crowded sink. It is a single, thin hand-blown glass, and the sturdier Tritan picks here make more sense for regular dinners.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hand-blown and light
- Very large bowl
- Lead-free per the listing
Cons
- Sold as a single glass
- Delicate
- Dishwasher guidance not stated on this listing
5. Luigi Bormioli Atelier Stemless Pinot Noir Glasses, Set of 6 – No Stem to Knock Over
A wide, short Pinot Noir bowl without a stem, for casual dinners and cabinets with little headroom.
The listing gives each glass a 20-ounce capacity and measures it at 4.5 inches across and 4 inches tall, so it stores far more easily than any stemmed Burgundy glass. Luigi Bormioli describes the material as SON.hyx, its high-tech blown lead-free crystal glass, and says it is break resistant and dishwasher safe, with fine, reinforced, laser-cut rims. The set of six is made in Italy.
The trade-off with any stemless glass is warmth. Your hand rests on the bowl, which warms the wine slowly. Pinot Noir is usually served a little cooler than room temperature, so with a stemless glass, pour smaller amounts and top up rather than filling once.
Our main wine glass guide recommends the Atelier stemless Cabernet glass. This is the Pinot Noir version from the same line: a slightly smaller, wider bowl, suited to a lighter red.
Why we like it
- Stemless shape, only 4 inches tall
- SON.hyx lead-free crystal glass, per the listing
- Break resistant and dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Laser-cut, reinforced rims
- Made in Italy, set of six
Key specifications
| Model | Atelier Stemless Pinot Noir, 10290/02 |
|---|---|
| Material | SON.hyx blown crystal glass |
| Capacity | 20 oz |
| Count | 6 glasses |
| Dimensions | 4.5 in diameter, 4 in tall |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Italy |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a busy household, a patio table or anyone who has broken one stem too many. You still get a wide bowl for Pinot Noir, in a glass that is steadier and easier to store.
Skip it if you like your Pinot Noir cool and drink it slowly. Without a stem, your hand will warm the wine over a long dinner.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stable and easy to store
- Lead-free per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- Set of six
Cons
- Hand warms the wine
- Less formal on the table
6. Mikasa Lana Red Wine Balloon Glasses, Set of 4 – A Round Bowl for Less
The Lana is a balloon-shaped red wine glass that gets you the wide, rounded bowl a Pinot Noir wants without the cost of the German and Austrian makers.
Mikasa lists each glass at 8.75 inches tall and 4.25 inches in diameter, with a 23-ounce capacity, so it is close in size to the Zwiesel and Stölzle picks. The listing describes a classic silhouette with a large rounded bowl and a thin stem, made of lead-free crystal, and says the glasses are dishwasher safe.
Mikasa does not name Pinot Noir specifically; it sells the Lana as a red wine glass for everyday use or for formal dinners. The balloon shape is the important part, because it is the same wide-bowl idea that defines a Burgundy glass. The listing does not say where the glasses are made.
Why we like it
- Large rounded bowl of 23 ounces
- Lead-free crystal, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- From an established tableware brand
Key specifications
| Model | Lana, 5316637 |
|---|---|
| Material | Crystal |
| Capacity | 23 oz |
| Count | 4 glasses |
| Dimensions | 8.75 in tall, 4.25 in diameter |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants to try a Burgundy-style bowl before spending more, or who needs extra round glasses for a dinner party without paying specialty-maker prices.
Skip it if you want a glass designed for Pinot Noir by its maker. The Lana is a general red wine balloon, and the listing gives no country of manufacture.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide balloon bowl
- Lead-free per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not designed for Pinot Noir by name
- Country of manufacture not stated
7. Schott Zwiesel Forté Burgundy Goblets, Set of 6 – Sturdy Everyday Burgundy
The Forté Burgundy is the rounder, simpler sibling of the Pure, from a collection the maker describes as particularly sturdy.
The listing gives a height of 8.7 inches, a diameter of 4.4 inches and a capacity of about 25 ounces, with a large, rounded goblet shape that the maker says is crafted especially for Burgundy wines. Like our top pick it is Tritan crystal, made in Germany and dishwasher safe, and Zwiesel Glas says its Tritan glasses are made without lead.
Why include a second glass from the same maker? Because it answers a different need. Our main guide’s top pick is the Forté all-purpose glass; this is the Burgundy goblet from that same collection, so if you already own the all-purpose Forté, these match it on the shelf. The Forté collection is also simpler in outline than the Pure, which some people prefer for everyday use.
Why we like it
- Large rounded goblet of about 25 ounces
- Collection described by the maker as sturdy and resilient
- Tritan crystal, lead-free per Zwiesel Glas
- Dishwasher safe, made in Germany
- Matches the Forté all-purpose glasses
Key specifications
| Model | Forté Burgundy, 0007.111993 |
|---|---|
| Material | Tritan crystal glass |
| Capacity | About 25 oz |
| Count | 6 glasses |
| Dimensions | 8.7 in tall, 4.4 in diameter |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Germany |
| Lead statement | Lead-free (Zwiesel Glas) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that already owns the Forté all-purpose glasses and wants a matching Burgundy shape, or anyone who wants the most robust-sounding everyday Burgundy glass in this guide.
Skip it if you already chose the Pure set. Both are Zwiesel Tritan Burgundy glasses of similar size, and you do not need both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rounded goblet shape
- Lead-free per the maker
- Dishwasher safe
- Set of six
Cons
- Overlaps with the Pure set
- Plainer look than hand-blown glass
What makes a glass right for Pinot Noir
The difference between a Burgundy glass and the Bordeaux glass in most red wine sets is width. A Bordeaux glass is tall with fairly straight sides. A Burgundy glass is shorter and much wider at the base, then narrows toward the rim. The makers here all describe that wide bowl the same way: room for a perfumed, light-bodied wine to open up, with the narrower top gathering the aroma.
That is why the recommended pour is small. Riedel suggests about 125 ml for its Extreme Pinot Noir, in a glass that holds 770 ml. Most of the bowl is meant to stay empty.
A note on crystal and lead
Traditional crystal was made with lead oxide. Most makers now sell lead-free crystal, which gets its brilliance from other minerals, and we only recommend glasses here when the maker or its listing says something specific about lead. Zwiesel Glas, Stölzle Lausitz, Luigi Bormioli, Zalto and Mikasa describe these glasses as lead-free. Riedel says its crystal glass “does not use lead oxide as a principal ingredient,” which we quote rather than paraphrase. We left out any glass whose listing says it is lead crystal, including Riedel’s Vinum Pinot Noir. We report these statements as the makers give them and are not making any health claim of our own.
How to choose a Pinot Noir glass
Look for a wide base and a narrower rim. The bowl should be noticeably wider than the opening. A glass of 20 to 26 ounces is typical for this shape; the Zalto, at about 960 ml, is the large end.
Read the lead statement. If lead content matters to you, choose a glass the maker calls lead-free. If a listing says only “crystal,” look for the maker’s own statement before you buy.
Choose stem or stemless for how you drink. A stem keeps your hand off the bowl, which helps a Pinot Noir served a little cool stay that way. Stemless glasses are steadier and store more easily.
Check your shelves and dishwasher. A Burgundy bowl is wide. Measure the space between cabinet shelves and the height of your dishwasher’s top rack against the dimensions given, and where a listing gives none, compare with a glass you already own.
Decide how many you need. Sets of six suit a family table. A pair of more expensive glasses is enough for a special bottle shared between two.
Keep the pour modest. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one standard drink of table wine as 5 fluid ounces at about 12% alcohol. In a 24-ounce Burgundy glass, that looks like very little, and that is how the glass is meant to be used.
How we chose these seven Pinot Noir glasses
We started from what a restaurant table asks of a wine glass: a shape suited to the wine, a size that fits a cupboard and a dishwasher, and a maker who says plainly what the glass is made of. For this page we looked only at Burgundy and Pinot Noir shapes from identifiable glassmakers sold on Amazon in the United States, left out every glass already recommended in our main wine glass guide, and checked that each pick was in stock when we wrote this. We set aside listings that were low on stock, including several Riedel, Spiegelau and Luigi Bormioli Burgundy glasses, and we left out Spiegelau’s Style Burgundy because we could not find a maker statement on its lead content.
Specifications come from the Amazon listings and, where we could reach them, the makers’ own pages: Riedel’s product page and frequently asked questions for the Extreme glass and its crystal, and Zwiesel Glas’s own description of its Tritan crystal. We have not drunk from every glass listed here; where we describe what a shape does, we say whose description it is.
Pinot Noir glass questions, answered
What are the best wine glasses for Pinot Noir?
A Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl and a narrower rim. The Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy is our pick for most households, the Riedel Extreme Pinot Noir is designed for the grape by name, and the Zalto Burgundy is the splurge.
Is a Burgundy glass the same as a Pinot Noir glass?
In practice, yes. Red Burgundy is made from Pinot Noir, so makers use the two names for the same wide-bowled shape. Riedel lists Pinot Noir and red Burgundy for the same glass.
Can I drink Pinot Noir from a regular red wine glass?
Of course. A universal or Bordeaux glass works. The wider Burgundy bowl is a refinement for people who drink a lot of light, aromatic reds, not a requirement. Our guide to the best wine glasses covers the all-purpose shapes.
Are Pinot Noir glasses dishwasher safe?
Most of the glasses here are sold as dishwasher safe by their makers or listings. The exception is the single Zalto Burgundy, whose listing does not say; hand washing is the safer habit for thin hand-blown glass.
Are these crystal glasses lead-free?
Six of the seven are described as lead-free by their maker or listing. Riedel says its crystal glass does not use lead oxide as a principal ingredient. See the section on crystal and lead above.
The Pinot Noir glass to start with
Buy the Zwiesel Glas Pure Burgundy pair if you want Burgundy glasses for regular use, in a crystal the maker describes as lead-free. Add a pair of Riedel Extreme Pinot Noir glasses if you want a shape designed for the grape, choose the Luigi Bormioli stemless glasses for a casual table, and try the Mikasa Lana if you want the round bowl for less. Whatever you pour, pour moderately and keep water on the table too.
For the rest of the wine shelf, see our guides to wine decanters, wine openers and wine aerators, or step back to our main wine glass guide. And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.