Grassl vs. Zalto Wine Glasses: Which is Best?

In the realm of fine wine stemware, two brands stand out from the rest: Grassl and Zalto. Switzerland design versus Austrian elegance. There’s no doubt any wine lover will significantly appreciate the masterpieces by these two crystal experts. However, when it comes to making a choice, we must compare the two giants and determine which are the best wine glasses.

Ready to find quality wine glasses online?

This is our comparison guide to the best Grassl and Zalto wine glasses. What are the main differences between these two extraordinary glassware producers? Here’s what you need to know. 

Grassl vs. Zalto Wine Glasses

Grassl is all about craftsmanship. It takes five highly skilled artisans to create every single mouth-blown wine glass in the company’s catalog. Grassl wine glasses are made with high-quality, lead-free crystal, and each follows a meticulous Swiss design. Functionality and usability are the principles behind Grassl wine glasses, which makes them attractive to wine lovers worldwide. 

Zalto wine glasses were developed in Austria. They’re also hand-blown and made with lead-free crystal. Zalto’s wine glasses are instantly recognizable for their angular design, which is more than esthetic; it’s also functional. Zalto stemware also enjoys a broad fan base. 

What to Look for in Quality Wine Glasses?

To determine if one wine glass is better than the other, we must first explore what makes fine crystal stemware special. Concisely, one can determine if a wine glass is of the highest quality by taking a closer look into the material, the glass shape and the technique used to make it.

Both Grassl and Zalto wine glasses share similar values and philosophies, and their production is not all that different. Still, the glasses are unique in their own way. Whether you’re into Zalto or prefer Grassl’s stemware craftsmanship, this is what you should look for in wine glasses. 

Stemware Material 

Wine glass producers can use a wide range of materials, all with pros and cons. The most common materials include glass, crystal and lead-free crystal. 

Glass

Glass is a durable, transparent material made of sand, limestone and soda ash, amongst other materials. Glass is not as strong as crystal, so wine glasses made with glass are often thick and sturdy. 

Crystal

Crystal is a type of glass with added lead oxide, making it stronger. Crystal can be stretched thinner than glass, allowing stemware producers to craft elegant pieces.

Led-free Crystal 

This type of crystal uses titanium oxide, barium oxide or zinc oxide instead of lead. Lead-free crystal is as transparent and resistant as leaded crystal, but it’s safer. 

Wine Glass Shape and Size

Both Grassl and Zalto stemware have distinctive glassware designs. And although the design alone doesn’t make one wine glass better than the other, consumers might have a preference for one collection or the other. 

Grassl Glassware is best appreciated in the manufacturer’s Vigneron Series. Two white and two red wine glasses make the collection versatile and elegant. You can distinguish them from their thin crystal and straight lines.

Besides Zalto’s Universal glass, the company focuses on wine glasses designed to best feature wine styles—mainly French iconic wine regions. Side by side, Zalto’s wine glasses have straighter lines, often with broader mouth openings that might appeal to some wine drinkers. 

Mouth Opening Diameter

The mouth opening is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing stemware, and may ultimately help us compare Grassl vs. Zalto wine glasses. 

Although both brands offer a wide range of wine glasses, let’s compare the mouth opening diameter between the Zalto Denk.Art Universal and Grassl’s Versatile Stemware. 

Grassl’s Versatile has a 60mm mouth opening, which allows the wine glass to capture the wine’s aroma. Zalto’s Universal wine glass has an opening of around 63mm, slightly wider than the Grassl wine glass. There’s no significant difference here, making both universal wine glasses suitable for red and white wine enjoyment. 

Two Pieces or One? Or is it Three?

When hand-blowing crystal wine glasses, the experience of the artisans matters, and both Grassl and Zalto have an extraordinary team of expert craft masters. Still, it’s in the glass-blowing technique where we find one of the most significant differences between Grassl and Zalto. 

At Grassl, every wine glass is made by hand from two parts: the bowl and stem on one side and the base on the other. This gives Grassl wine glasses better resonance and a cleaner look.

Zalto’s wine glasses are produced in three parts: the bowl, the stem, and the base. This is partially the reason for the flatter bowl and thicker bowl base. 

Rim Thickness

The rim thickness in a wine glass is paramount, and it’s the most noticeable difference between glass and crystal stemware. The thinner the lip, the most pleasing the drinking experience.

Compared side by side, it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference in rim thickness between a regular Zalto glass and a Grassl. It takes measurement tools to notice Zalto’s lip is a bit thinner — not noticeable on taste alone. 

Of course, we’re already talking about two of the finest stemware producers in the world. Most commercial wine glasses have noticeably thicker rims. 

How to Choose Between Grassl Vs. Zalto Stemware?

Choosing between Grassl vs. Zalto wine glasses is no easy feat. Both companies have mastered the art of hand-crafting glassware. It all goes down to your preference.

Purpose. 

Both Grassl and Zalto wine glasses are suitable for tasting fine wine at the highest level. They are both versatile and reliable.

Price. 

Although both companies offer stemware at various quality levels, comparing the price of Grassl’s Versatile and Zalto’s Denk.Art Universal shows no difference. Both wine glasses cost around $40.

Durability. 

Grassl and Zalto stemware are durable but also fragile. Grassl might be a better choice if handling worries you, as the Grassl wine glasses’ stems are a bit thicker than Zalto’s.

The Bottom Line?

Whether you’re just getting started in the world of wine or are a seasoned wine taster, both Grassl and Zalto offer unique wine-tasting experiences. These wine glasses are amongst the finest globally, and although they have their differences, both are extraordinary additions to your glassware collection.

Shop Now