Everybody loves a glass of champagne – but today we’re less concerned about what’s in the glass and more interested in the vessel itself. While there’s no universal “right” answer for which glassware is best to use when drinking champagne, knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each style will help you optimize your wine and shared experience. Here’s a breakdown of which champagne glass to use and when, so that you’re never stuck with egg on your face (or champagne on your clothes) ever again.
The Flute
When you picture a glass of champagne in your mind, odds are it’s a bubbly beverage poured into a tall, narrow glass with a long stem. If you hadn’t guessed it already, you’re imagining a flute. 
Flutes are arguably the most popular glass used for champagne right now for a variety of reasons. Their thin shape keeps the champagne carbonated and shielded from airflow, which causes visually pleasing bubbles and a fizzy texture in the drinker’s mouth. This is great for young champagnes that don’t have strong aromas for the consumer to enjoy, but it’s a drawback for vintages that develop their scent and flavor more fully by interacting with oxygen. Our founder David’s flute of choice for André Tixier organic champagnes can be found here at RIEDEL.
The flute is a great choice for parties or gatherings that’ll feature dancing or lots of movement. The compact rim reduces your risk of any embarrassing spills on yourself (or worse, on your date).
Say yes to the flute for: parties with lots of movement, celebrations with dancing, and moments when you really want that champagne to bubble and fizz
The Coupe
Legend has it that the infamous Marie-Antoinette had the shape of the coupe modeled on her breast, but in reality the glass was invented almost a century before the queen was born. Although the story isn’t true, the coupe still maintains a sensual and romantic reputation. It was the first vessel made specifically for champagne, which brought it wild popularity in the early days of Hollywood. A coupe brings to life the old-world charm of the early 20th century (think of a dapper Leonardo DiCaprio raising his coupe and smiling).
The coupe is aesthetically pleasing, but it doesn’t produce the bubble-bursting effect created by the flute. Its wide bowl and
rim are better suited for enjoying the full flavor of a mature champagne because it allows the liquid to aerate and the consumer to enjoy its aromas. However, a drawback of the large bowl is that if the drinker doesn’t sip the wine quickly enough it’ll lose its carbonation and fall flat.
A coupe is a great option at a sit-down dinner party because of its stylish elegance, but its true value comes from its ability to aerate the wine. The process enriches the wine’s flavor and complements fine cuisine well. If you’re sipping on André Tixier & Fils like we are, you can find gourmet recipes created by chefs to match the bubbles here. Pair a recipe with our organic wine and a coupe for a classic evening with good company. But if you’ll be dancing the night away (or if you talk with your hands) you may want to rethink the coupe and opt for a flute, old sport.
Say yes to the coupe for: intimate dinner parties, vintages, and more developed wines
The Tulip
The tulip glass is less famous than the flute and coupe, but its modern shape and various benefits are giving it a recent surge in popularity. Its body is somewhat similar to the flute, but the base of the bowl is much wider and curves to narrow at the rim like a tulip flower.
The wide base allows the drinker to appreciate fuller aromas than a flute, while the narrow lip avoids the quick loss of carbonation that occurs with the coupe. The bowl shape guides aromas through the narrowed rim and into the drinker’s tongue instead of their nose, which greatly enhances the flavor. This makes the tulip a viable option for both young and mature champagnes.
Say yes to the tulip for: both young and mature champagnes, wine tastings, and preserving carbonation
The Bottom Line
Whether you enjoy the verve of the flute, distinguishment of the coupe, or modernity of the tulip, you should always choose a glass with the needs of your sparkling wine in mind. The glass is ultimately meant to help your champagne achieve its greatest potential so that you can celebrate this moment and thrive in the next. This means opting for organic, chilled-on import champagne that won’t come back to haunt you the next day. If you’re not sure where to start, joining our organic wine club is the perfect way to experience the authentic flavor of wines that are an ocean apart from sugar and additive heavy champagnes.
Now that you know when to use each glass and why to choose organic, you’re well on your way to hosting a celebration, dinner party, or wine tasting that your friends will be sure to remember (for good reasons only)!