by Sean Brison |
Last Updated: June 4, 2022 Which champagne glasses should you get? While many people still consider the flute to be THE glass to consume your carbonated coolant, several styles exist from tulip-shaped to stemless flute to the coupe. If you’re in need of drinkware for toasting that special occasion, this curated list contains 14 of the best champagne glasses to get your hands on right now.
1. Lehmann Glass Jamesse Grand Champagne
Philippe Jamesse is the chief sommelier at Domaine Les Crayeres, in Reims, France. He oversees a 55,000 bottle cellar at the 2 Michelin-starred restaurant. Mr. Jamesse also happens to be a renowned wine authority specializing in champagne. He designed this tulip-shaped glass in collaboration with Lehmann Glass to feature a wide bowl and tapered mouth. Many now say this glass style is the optimal way to drink quality champagne.
2. Zalto Denk’Art Universal Wine Glass
This universal wine glass design by Zalto Denk'Art underscores the best elements of both red and white grape varietals. Suppose you're looking for a vessel to pull double-duty (while letting you appreciate your next glass of sparkling effervescence), this one might make sense. It's lightweight (feels like you're holding air), mouth-blown, lead-free, and dishwasher safe. Although, you might sleep better at night cleaning these by hand.
3. Riedel Veritas Champagne Wine Glass
The Veritas series by Riedel boasts the "finest and lightest" machine-blown crystal glass ever conceived. This champagne wine glass sports a larger rim diameter helping to release those delicious flavors that are often lost with narrow flutes while its "sparkling point" preserves your drink's effervescence.
4. BrüMate Insulated Champagne Flute
If you've ever wished there was a way to keep your champagne cold while sunning yourself at the beach; you're in luck. The folks at BrüMate made this especially for the on-the-go drinker (i.e., you!). It's made with vacuum-insulated stainless steel (so your flute doesn't rust), and it's the largest triple-insulated flute holding nearly a half bottle's worth of bubbly. This one also comes in a wide variety of colors to match any affair.
5. Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige
Austrian-based Riedel has been crafting distinguished glassware for over 300 years. Vinum is a unique, varietal-specific machine-made crystal collection. The Cuvee Prestige model has an agitative dot at the base of its bowl to spur the bead and maintain your drink's effervescence. It's the perfect vehicle for sipping champagne, prosecco, cava, sparkling wine, and Franciacorta. This set contains two glasses and is dishwasher safe.
6. Libbey Stemless Champagne Flutes
Libbey's casually classy stemless champagne flutes make it easier to store more with less space compared to traditional stemware (without sacrificing quality). This 8.5 oz. glass is easy to hold with a narrow rim, slender bowl, and balanced base (also makes an excellent alternative to those red solo cups cluttering your kitchen). You can still find sparkling sophistication on a budget with this model when bubbles are all that matter.
7. Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass
Schott Zwiesel recognized the rim, stem, and foot of a piece of stemware were the most likely to break. So, they individually tempered each of these areas to boost its resiliency without sacrificing the visual appeal. Plus, they removed the lead content from the glass replacing it with Titanium and Zirconium. This resulted in a global-patented material that's both desirable and durable: Tritan Crystal. This machine-made series is break-resistant, dishwasher safe, and contains effervescence points to encourage the bead.
8. Waterford Love Forever Champagne Flute
Waterford is the world's leading manufacturer of luxury crystal. They've been in business since 1783 and have sold their products worldwide. Their glassware is made with a fine patterned, diamond crystal design perfect for weddings, anniversaries, or simply because you want to "drink in" life. They're also dishwasher safe so no more hand washing after every use.
9. Tossware Plastic Champagne Glasses
Are you hosting a party and need to buy some disposable glasses? Tossware's recyclable, unbreakable, and crystal clear champagne glasses could be the solution. They're ideal for outdoor dining and come equipped with snappy patented features including a rounded rim for painless drinking and Pop 'n Lock stackability for simple storage. The best thing about this glassware is the quick and easy, post-party clean-up it affords.
10. Fineline Settings Plastic Champagne Flute
A classy disposable model for your sparkling wine of choice. The modern crystal-like design makes it ideal for parties, weddings, or catered events. An excellent glassware alternative with an elegant look. So fashionable you won’t be embarrassed to use them at your next formal event!
11. Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Champagne Saucer
Schott Zwiesel's unique Tritan crystal glass composition has made it a highly desirable product. It's 100% lead-free, made with the most environmentally sensitive technology, and stands on a 140-year tradition of the finest German glassmaking. The titanium boosts the glass's durability without feeling thick or clunky. This simple 6-piece set holds a 9.5 oz capacity and is dishwasher safe.
12. Modvera Premium Crystal Champagne Glass
Looking for a sleek and modern addition to your dinner table? Modvera's premium champagne flute lets you enjoy your next bubbly brouhaha in style. A high-quality home bar companion sporting an elegant design made of lead-free glass that's sure to impress your guests. They're also durable enough for daily use while looking chic on your countertop!
13. RÖD Titanium Crystal Sparkling Wine Glass
Do you love Prosecco but hate the flaming fizz shooting up your nostrils? The Röd sparkling wine glass seeks to combat this problem. Conceived in the glass region of Bohemia, Czech Republic, this design has a wider bowl and tapered lip to preserve your drink's carbonation presenting you with a pleasurable sipping experience (while preventing the bubbly from shooting up your schnoz!).
14. Riedel O Wine Champagne Tumbler
Looking for a gift idea for the sparkling wine lover (and possibly clumsy drinker) in your life? Stemless champagne flutes are the rage. This model by one of the world's leading glassware producers, Riedel, is made from high-quality, machine-blown non-leaded crystal. If you're looking for a glass that won't tip over, perhaps one of these tumblers will do the trick. Perfect for "accident-prone" imbibers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Champagne Glasses
How Do You Choose Champagne Glasses? (Flute vs. Coupe vs. Tulip)
Many now turn to the tulip glass (or white wine glass) for consuming high-quality sparkling wine. As many will agree, this style lets the fragrant flavors develop and spurs the bead.
Three popular styles displayed in the below screenshot are the top three glasses from the beginning of this article:
- Zalto Denk’Art Universal Wine Glass
- Riedel Veritas Champagne Wine Glass
- Lehmann Glass Jamesse Grand Champagne
The flute is usually what comes to mind when you think of drinking champagne. But, depending on the occasion, it may not be ideal. Champagne is, after all, wine. So, using a wine glass to consume it makes sense.
The flute’s narrow design contributes to the bead, but its slim shape does nothing to capture your drink’s aromatic bouquets. And because our sense of smell overwhelmingly contributes to how things taste, using glassware that enhances that component makes for a more well-rounded drinking experience — especially when sipping premium champagne.
Coupes are another favorite, but its wide bowl lets your bubbles escape instantly. Why? Because the rim isn’t tapered so there’s nothing there to trap the nuanced flavor molecules (the same with the flute).
As Dr. Helen Czerski points out:
The flavor molecules that the bubbles are delivering to the surafce have lots of complexity so it’s bringing out all of the wonderful things that are in your wine. The problem is that when your flavor is released into the headspace just above (the wine), it basically blows away.
Are Prosecco Glasses the Same As Champagne Glasses?
The main difference between prosecco and champagne glasses is that a champagne glass (also referred to as a flute) has an elongated, slim bowl with a long stem and narrow rim. A prosecco glass resembles a tulip glass with a wide bowl and tapered rim.
The wide bowl is ideal for highlighting the complex flavors of the grapes while the tapered rim traps the aromas in the glass, heightening the overall experience.
You might also see prosecco served in a tumbler (or Goto) if you’re in Venice since prosecco is Italian sparkling wine.
Further Reading:
What Is the Best Glass to Drink Champagne from?
The tulip glass has become the preferred method for sipping champagne. Some sommeliers even turn to Pinot or Burgandy glasses when sipping on high-quality grapes. All of these vessels share two common traits:
- Wide bowl
- Tapered rim
But the occasion can also dictate which vessel you choose. Wine expert Scarlett Carasco Polanco had this to say:
Do you want the evening to feel like an old fashioned party? Coupes. Do you want to be super celebratory? Flutes. Are you sitting down with close friends, pairing the champagne with something? Oregon Pinot glass.
Final Word
There are many ways to enjoy champagne. Some prefer it in a white wine glass while others opt for the enhanced tulip shape with sparkling points.
It depends on the occasion as well as the bubbly itself. Remember that champagne is sparkling wine and drinking it out of a wine glass is appropriate (though may not be your first drinking vessel of choice).
At the end of the day, the glass that lets you enjoy your beverage is the one you should use. If you’re drinking a $5 bottle of Brüt, a flute (or even a red solo cup) will suffice. 😉
However, if you’re sipping something high-caliber, consider one of the alternatives (e.g., the Jamesse Grand or Riedel Veritas) listed above to heighten your experience.
Thinking of adding another glass style to your collection? Read this.