Decoding The Shapes (And Types) Of Champagne Glasses

So you have loved your champagne always but never really gave a thought on shapes of the glasses it is served in? Surely it can happen to the best of us. However, you are reading this piece because you want to remedy the situation. Your reason can vary from just being gripped by curiosity to being able to make better purchase decision for stocking your glass cabinet. Who knows when you might really need those details, on the most anticipated dinner date or a surprise house party!

Why the Champagne glasses are shaped the way they are?

Champagne glasses come in 3 shapes: Coupe, Flute and Tulip. These are also the glass types you should go looking for in the market if you are a frequent house party thrower. However, selecting just one for any immediate requirement can get tricky if you do not understand science behind the shapes of these glasses. After knowing maybe, you can thoroughly think of your champagne preference and budget to make a call.

Knowing "which of the three champagne glass types" begins with the understanding of the shape of the glassware. 

1. Coupe Glass:

With a small and wide bowl and large stem, this glass could be a sight to behold, especially to those who have lately watched a lot of Hollywood classic flicks. Those were the times when these glasses symbolized luxury and class like nothing. Every hero and villain sparred with words with these glasses in one hand and we loved them every single moment, thanks to the entire setup.

The shape however lost its significance in the current era with the arrival of better designed champagne glasses. The wide bowl of the Coupe does not allow the bubbles to stay longer, making the drink go flat in minutes. This it is not at all a great choice if you have a conversation on mind while the champagne awaits in your hand!

2. Flute Glass:

The above restriction brings us to the modern day luxury statement glasses: yes, the flutes. These are tall and slender and do what the coupe glasses couldn’t: hold the bubbles better (and allowing you the time you were looking for!) in addition to making you look elegant and sophisticated. 

The only flaw of these glasses is not being able to let you enjoy the aromas and flavors as much as you should be doing, due to small opening. The bubbles are mostly lost in nose without imparting fragrance and the taste is also lost on your tongue, where these really belong; not at all good for old and complex (read flavorful!) wines.

3. Tulip Glass:

The above enlightenment brings us to the last type of the champagne glasses, the Tulips. Inspired from the shape of the Tulip flowers (as you have guessed rightly!), these glasses have a wider bowl as compared to the flutes but these narrow a bit at the opening to prevent the loss of the bubbles that was the case of the coupe glasses. In Tulips, thus, you get the best of the both worlds.

Great for formal as well as casual occasions, Tulips can be a great addition to your glassware collection, especially if you are pocket conscious yet want the best for your guests and yourself as well. 

Uses you can think of for your well-thought, well-bought champagne glasses

Numerous champagne cocktails in addition to the best of the champagne brands can be enjoyed in you newly purchased glasses, designed specifically for the champagne. Your choice can range from Bellini, Mimosa, French 75, Italian 75, Cosmobellini, Black Forest, Corpse Reviver, Thug Passion, Stroke of Midnight and the list can seriously go on depending on your champagne cocktail mixing skills. Your guests would also love to see their sparkling wines being served in your great-looking champagne crystals and glassware. 

Armed with the above information, we hope that you would do a great job at selecting the best champagne glasses without thinking twice because you now know which glass is the best for what!