Why We Love the Libbey All-Purpose Wine Glass
Cocktail parties can get pretty lively. So it’s inevitable that there will be a broken wine glass or two at some point in the evening. In my opinion, the sound of a shattering glass is proof that everyone’s having a good time.
For some, however, a broken glass equals money down the drain. But if a Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Wine Glass should break, you won’t be crestfallen. That’s because it’s relatively inexpensive, even though the thinness of the glass and its elegant stem would suggest otherwise. In our tests, the Libbey stood out among a crowded table of stemware because it showcased red and white wines well. This wine glass has a classic look that’s well suited to daily use as well as to more-formal occasions, like dinner parties.
Our pick
Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Wine Glass
The best all-purpose wine glass
This inexpensive tulip-shaped glass showcases both red and white wines well. It’s durable yet still thin and elegant enough for dinner parties.
The Libbey has remained our favorite all-purpose wine glass since 2017. This wine glass stands out for its nicely balanced shape and surprising durability. In our tests, we found that the tulip-shaped bowl helped preserve the aroma of wine so it could be enjoyed longer. The 16-ounce volume is also suitable for nearly all styles of wines. And the Libbey’s thin lip feels more sophisticated than those on most other glasses in this price range, which tend to be thick and clunky. The Libbey wine glass is also dishwasher-safe.
In our durability tests, the Libbey wine glass survived every tumble onto a marble counter. However, like all of the wine glasses we tested, it didn’t survive a 3-foot drop onto a hardwood floor. Even so, after years of long-term testing these glasses in our own homes, we’ve broken very few of them.
Wine glasses can be very pricey, so the Libbey is a rare find that meets all of our requirements for around $10 per glass. We think this wine glass is best for people who entertain often, or who tend to drink wine that costs about $20 or less per bottle. In our tests we found that the Libbey wine glass doesn’t necessarily highlight the nuanced aromas and flavors of some pricier wines.
How it started
Libbey began as the New England Glass Company in 1818 in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1888 the company moved to Toledo, Ohio (where it’s still based today), and it officially became the Libbey Glass Company in 1892. Libbey achieved a long list of innovations in the 20th century—it was the first company to automatically produce electric light bulbs and machine-blown glass. Today, Libbey is a global brand that offers an array of drinkware and serveware.
How it compares
We’ve been testing wine glasses since 2017, and our panels have included wine critics and sommeliers. After researching hundreds of glasses and testing over 60 brands, the Libbey remains the best all-purpose glass for the price.
- The Libbey wine glass has been a Wirecutter pick since 2017.
- Its tulip shape helps enhance a wine’s aroma.
- It feels refined and elegant, yet it’s surprisingly durable and dishwasher-safe.
You can read more in our guide to the best wine glasses.
When to buy
Deals on these glasses are rare, but we’ve previously seen sales in the fall.
The numbers
Street price: $35
Best price we’ve ever seen: $27
Make it last
We recommend cleaning your stemware in a dishwasher. Though this may sound counterintuitive, you’re actually less likely to break your glasses in the dishwasher than if you hand-wash them. (When you hand-wash a glass, it can slip and hit the sink or snap if you twist the bowl and stem in opposite directions.)
There are a few guidelines to follow when washing your wine glasses in the dishwasher, and we’ve outlined those in a separate post on how to clean and polish stemware. But if you don’t have a dishwasher, you can hand-wash your glasses with hot water, a bottle brush, and a little bit of dish soap.
Further reading
The Best Wine Glasses
by Eve O'Neill, Michael Sullivan, and Tammie Teclemariam
After tasting wine in nearly 100 glasses with several experts, we think the best everyday wine glass is the Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Glass.
How to Clean Wine Glasses
by Tammie Teclemariam and Marguerite Preston
Manufacturers of even the thinnest, most expensive stemware recommend washing wine glasses in the dishwasher.
Our Favorite Boxed and Canned Wines
by Connor Grossman
Leave your bottles in the wine cellar. These are the boxed and canned wines that Wirecutter staffers love.
The Best Drinking Glass
by Michael Sullivan and Eve O'Neill
After more than 60 hours of research and testing, and many dropped glasses, we think the durable Bormioli Rocco Rock Bar is the best all-purpose drinking glass.
