Wine glasses come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Wine buffs will quickly identify which particular shape goes with which particular wine, but then there are different styles to consider too - classic, contemporary or something altogether unconventional. Whichever style you choose, it's important that your stemware exudes elegance and refinement, whilst being of exceptional quality. If you are shopping for wine glasses online, there are a few things you will need to consider in order to find the best products, for the best prices.

What's your budget?

State of the art manufacturing means that high-quality glassware can be mass produced. However, top brands such as Libbey, Arcoroc and Artis are going to be slightly higher in cost than a more generic range. Coloured wine glasses also tend to cost more than clear ones. So with this in mind, your budget will determine the style, or styles, and the manufacturing of the products you choose. A good online retailer should carry a range of stock to suit any budget.

How many will you buy?

Obviously, the more glasses you need, the better a rate you will get. Ordering wine glasses online in bulk is surely the most cost-effective means of purchase, so this is something to consider. If your venue has enough storage, then having extra stock won't do any harm and will save money in the long-term. As we all know, breakages are frequent, so they will need replacing eventually.

Consider the clientele

Wine aficionados will expect the correct glass for the wine they are served - a wide bell type for red wines, specialist glasses for brandy and dessert wines. If wine is the focus of your establishment, then you will need to consider the size and type of glass appropriate for each variety, right down to the grape type. On the other hand, if you have a more general customer base, or are a particularly lively venue, then you may wish to consider more durable products.

Other things to consider

Wine glasses stamped with the CE mark comply with the weights and measures act for licensed premises serving wine by the glass measures. They have a printed fill-to line on the side, which removes the need for a measuring thimble before pouring - a small but definite advantage.

It's also important to ensure your glassware is dishwasher safe, most will be these days, but it could prove a costly oversight if your glasses are quickly showing signs of erosion.

So whether you are operating a gastro-pub, a wine bar or a restaurant, the wine glasses you select must match the desired style as well as be suitable for purpose. Specialist retailers will usually carry a broad selection to suit different styles and budgets, and will offer advice based on your requirements. Ultimately, you will have to decide what suits your venue. If you shop around, you are sure to find the perfect match for the right price.