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Glorious glasses for every budget
The clinking of glass is synonymous with joyous occasions, good times with friends and milestones passed. Memories are marked with Merlot, weddings celebrated with Champagne and Sunday lunches at the pub are punctuated with a pint. Yet the unsung hero of these moments is the glass into which the drink is poured.
Wine and spirit experts across the world will tell you that the shape of the glass contributes enormously to the final taste. The best wine glasses will aerate the drink, as will some gin glasses. Champagne flutes help to contain the sparkle for longer and, held by the stem, ensure your hands don't warm your drink. Coupes are good for those who are more interested in the flavour of the champagne, rather than its fizzy nature. So the science of these items matters as much as the aesthetic.
Glassware leads a double life so well too, playing a decorative role as it waits in the wings. Dressers and shelves can be embellished up so nicely by displaying coloured glassware. Take cues from interior designer Rita Konig, whose collection of antique glassware is displayed on the top shelf of her dresser.
If you're looking to set a lovely dining table, do check out our guides to the best napkins, tablecloths, plate sets as well.
So whether you're purchasing for practical or aesthetic purposes, we have rounded up the best glassware to shop now.
Glasses and glassware
1/27Aller Dorset x Bias Editions tumbler, £32, from Aller Dorset.
This tricolour tumblers are as pretty as they come and will elevate any table with tones of forest green and pale pink. They make water, wine, cocktails and beer look as good as they can. The glasses are all handblown in the UK.
2/27Drinking Glasses, multi, £45 from Our Place.
Our Place's stackable and colourful glasses have recently launched here in the UK. We love the mix and match look but if you're after something a little more streamlined, the sets of four are available in every individual colour too.
3/27Anyday Dine Glass Tumblers, set of 4, clear, £12 from John Lewis.
You can't go wrong with this affordable set of everyday tumblers.
5/27Moreton Highball Glasses, set of four, £30 from The White Company.
The White Company do understated elegance so well and these glasses are no exception.
6/27Double Old Fashioned Tumbler, £85 from The Design Buzz.
These cut tumbler glasses from Shalini Misra's company are ideal for dark spirits and cocktails.
7/27Nesting Glasses Set, £40 from Aarke.
Space saving, stylish and endlessly covetable. These Aarke glasses are the latest kitchen must have.
8/27Stories of Italy Nougat Tumblers, set of six, sunset, £479 from Amara.
These may be slightly unusual, but they are really fun and certainly would make a great talking point at a dinner party.
9/27Eldi Drinking Glass, £4.50 from Petersham Nurseries.
Simple, understated and always stylish, these tumblers would look just as good on the shelf as in your hand.
10/27Laguna B Aria Glass, green, £99 from The Conran Shop.
A decorative glass is a little kitsch, but in the best way possible. A glass of lemonade or orange juice would be so joyful from this Laguna B piece.
11/27Nini Hexagon Glasses, set of two, by R+D.LAB, £78 from Matches Fashion.
These uber cool glasses are fun, modern and would add a touch of something special to any table setting.
12/27Set of Two Coupe Glasses, by Yali Glass, £490 from Matches Fashion.
Sometimes the vessel from which you drink is just as important than what you drink. In this case, however, you might have a hard time finding something special enough to drink from these lovely glasses.
13/27Coupette Glasses, set of 2, £44 from Untitled Drinks.
Untitled is one of London's most stylish bars, and along with the rest of the bars in the same group (69 Colebrooke Row, Bar Termini), it has great glassware. We've had many an excellent martini from these thin, elegant glasses in those bars, and we're delighted you can now buy them online.
14/27Bubble Glass, guacamole, old fashioned, £10 from Anthropologie.
We love the slightly clunky feel to this old fashioned glass.
15/27La Rochère Bee Stemmed Wine Glass, 240ml, Provence green, £8 from John Lewis.
Green glass is always one of our favourite things and this lovely wine glass is so sweet.
16/27Anyday Drink Beer Glass, set of 4, 570ml, clear, £5 from John Lewis.
A good beer glass is always a winner when hosting.
17/27Eclat Cristal d'Arques Paris Ultime White Wine Glasses, set of 6, £40 from John Lewis.
A thin stemmed wine glass is always a joy to drink from. This set from John Lewis is rather affordable too.
18/27Plume Thistle Crystal Tumbler, £20 from Petra Palumbo.
This tumbler is lovely enough to house your evening cocktail and, with break resistant glass, sturdy enough for everyday use.
19/27Handblown Cecil Glass, red, £24 from Host Home.
A fun coloured rim adds a little pop of colour without being too loud.
20/27Handblown Murano Drip Glasses, orange, £22.50 from Edition 94.
These glasses are handblown and look great in matching colour sets or mixed up around the table.
21/27Rimmed Wine Glasses, clover, set of four, £56 from Birdie Fortescue.
The smart rims add a touch of colour to an otherwise classic wine glass.
22/27Hand Blown Recycled Glass Tall Tumbler, amber, £25 from Hadeda.
Hadeda's colourful, recycled glassware was designed collaboratively between Wiid Design in Cape Town and a respected glass manufacturer in Swaziland, Ngwenya Glass. Collect the full set, or mix and match.
23/27Wonkie Jimmie Juice Glass, cobalt, £55 from Nina Campbell.
Nina Campbell's eye for colour extends handsomely to her lovely glassware range.
24/27Ssalg Repurposed Drinking Glasses, set of two, £12 each from Zero Living.
These clever glasses are repurposed from old bottles.
25/27Corinne Gin Cocktail Glass, £44 from William Yeoward Crystal.
This large balloon shape gin glass can be filled to the brim with cucumber slices and ice, making for a great summer drink.
27/27Madison Coupette, £67 from William Yeoward Crystal.
A coupe is an incredibly elegant glass and this particular design would be striking atop a bar cart.
