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Summer is here and with it an itinerary that probably includes poolside BBQs and park picnics. Since breaking out the good glasses for outdoor events is ill-advised, having dedicated plastic wineglasses is a smart investment. In our best stemless-wineglass round-up, Steven Grubbs, wine director at Atlanta restaurant Five & Ten, told us that when it comes to “casual, rugged, and outdoor portable drinking,” you can’t beat plastic. “I believe if you’re in a scenario where stems are too precious or dainty,” he explains, “then actual glass is probably a liability there too.” Lucy Devlin, vice-president of wines at Naked Wines, adds, “Plastic wineglasses do not have any negative impact on the taste of the wine, so people should drink out of whatever they like best.” With that in mind, I asked Grubbs and ten other wine experts about their go-to favorites for outdoor-drinking season.
What we’re looking for
Material
“The key to a quality plastic wineglass is durability,” says Arden Montgomery Gilfillan, sommelier and co-founder of Argaux. The gold standard for plastic wineglasses is Tritan, which is more durable than other materials and tends to look the most like actual glass. Other plastics, like acrylic, also work just fine but aren’t as durable.
Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only
Due to the nature of different plastics, Gilfillan recommends checking the resin identification number on the bottom of the glass, since some plastics can’t withstand hot or warm water, while others can. The general rule of thumb: Tritan can safely go in the dishwasher, while acrylic and other plastics cannot.
Best overall plastic wineglass
Material: Acrylic | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only
For those who want the feel of a real glass with the convenience of a plastic cup, these are an excellent choice, recommended by Gilfillan. “If you’re drinking out of plastic, don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be,” she explains. “A goblet-style wineglass is great because it’s versatile for red, white, and rosé.” They are also the most refined of the options on this list, with an embossed pattern that makes them look like a much fancier glass.
Best stemless plastic wineglasses
Material: Tritan | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
“These glasses are pretty and a no-brainer: They can’t break, and they look nice on the table,” says Ariel Arce, owner and restaurateur of Air’s Champagne Parlor and Tokyo Record Bar. “I recommend the Vivocci Unbreakable Wine Glass for everyday use, given its durability and sleek design,” echoes Miles Pepper, co-founder of Sampl. And they’re dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and shatter-resistant.
Best plastic wineglass with finger notch
Material: Tritan | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
According to Joel Kampfe, sommelier and co-founder of Unrooted, a monthly natural-wine club, “Govino plastic cups take the crown,” adding that they can’t be beat when it comes to reusability and durability. “It’s a super-versatile size, great for sparkling, white, or red wine, and it also nicely fits cocktails on ice, like an Aperol spritz,” says Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at the NoMad and founder of Empire Estate, a winery in the Finger Lakes region. “There’s a really convenient dimple on the bottom and side of the glass, for an even more stable grip.” Joel Burt, co-owner and winemaker at Las Jaras Wines and WAVES, also points out that Govino now makes dishwasher-safe glasses, which is a huge plus.
Best stackable plastic wineglasses
Material: Recycled polymers | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash-only
If you’re short on space, Juliet co-founder Lauren De Niro Pipher recommends Tossware, whose glasses pop together for easy stacking. “The 12-ounce stemless glasses are my go-to when hosting large groups because it’s a classic shape and fully recyclable,” she says.
Best colorful plastic wine glasses
Material: Tritan | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe
If you want to get in on the colored-glass trend, Ross Dawkins and Woody Hambrecht, co-founders of boxed-wine brand Ami Ami, recommend the “casual but classed-up” DuraClear glasses (which also come in traditional clear plastic).
Best disposable plastic wine glasses
Material: PLA | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: N/A
If you’re looking for single-use wineglasses for a big party, Wine Access advanced sommelier Laura Koffer recommends Repurpose stemless wine cups. “They are comfortable in your hand, hold the right amount of wine, and have a bowl-like bottom that mimics a traditional wineglass so you can swirl away,” she notes. Ross and Hambrecht call them their “absolute go-tos for outdoor entertaining this summer,” adding that they love how they look like actual glasses. And while they are disposable, the cups are compostable so you don’t have to feel as bad tossing them away at the end of the night.
Some more wineglasses we’ve written about
Our experts
•Ariel Arce, owner and restaurateur of Air’s Champagne Parlor and Tokyo Record Bar
•Joel Burt, co-owner and winemaker at Las Jaras Wines and WAVES
•Ross Dawkins, co-founder of boxed-wine brand Ami Ami
•Lucy Devlin, vice-president of wines at Naked Wines
•Woody Hambrecht, co-founder of boxed-wine brand Ami Ami
•Laura Koffer, advanced sommelier at Wine Access
•Arden Montgomery Gilfillan, sommelier and co-founder of Argaux
•Steven Grubbs, wine director at Five & Ten
•Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at the NoMad and founder of Empire Estate
•Miles Pepper, co-founder of Sampl
•Lauren De Niro Pipher, Juliet co-founder
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