For many, when the champagne bottles are popping, and the bubbles are flowing, it’s time to be festive. Typically used to celebrate or commemorate a special moment, champagne has a distinctive taste and quality that calls for the most opulent of experiences. First, we must distinguish that, in fact, champagne is a white wine. The key to drinking champagne — correctly — is to invest in proper champagne glasses. Some people might not know that there are different glasses for different wines, but choosing the right one, makes all of the difference.
It’s worth mentioning, of course, the different types of champagne glasses. There are three main types of champagne glasses:
- Flute (Including stemmed, stemless, trumpet & tulip champagne glasses)
- Coupe
- White Wine
The flute is the typical silhouette we think of when we think about champagne glasses; a rounder bowl and a normal height stem are characteristics of this glass. Flutes can take the traditional shape, can be stemless, can be tulip-shaped or can be trumpet-shaped. The tulip silhouette focuses on the rim as it has a narrower shape, allowing the aromas of the champagne to amplify as the glass is tipped toward the nose. Stemless is probably one of the most popular silhouettes, because of the ease of holding the glass and its easy transportability. Trumpets are more elegant as they have a slimmer bowl, and a wide-mouth rim juts out from the stem of the glass.
On the other hand, the coupe has a vintage look, with people typically calling them “old school” when they’re spotted. With a circular rim and bowl, the coupe sits on a shorter stem.
Related Stories
Finally, white wine glasses are wider, normal-looking wine glasses. These glasses were not designed for sparkling wines, but can be used in a pinch.
Which is Best for Drinking Champagne: Flute vs. Coupe Champagne Glasses
The most traditional shape for champagne glasses is the flute. Hundreds of years ago, this shape was used because it allowed sediment to settle neatly at the bottom of the glass. But, if you’ve opened a bottle of champagne in the last 200 years, you will have noticed that there is very little sentiment. That’s because disgorgement, or the removal of lees from a bottle, became standard practice in the industry two centuries ago. This practice made drinking champagne from flutes unnecessary, but the tradition has continued regardless. After all, the flute is seen as the embodiment of elegance and celebration.
However, most recently wine experts have moved away from flutes as the best vessel for champagne. Like every other wine, champagne benefits from a wide-mouth glass that allows the aromas to make their way to your nose.
So, if you’re drinking champagne for appearances, choose fluted champagne glasses. If you’re drinking champagne because you want to actually taste this type of wine, choose coupe champagne glasses.
Regardless of which you choose, drinking champagne in the right glass will help you feel your most elegant self, and we’ve spotlighted some of the best champagne glasses below.
1. Schott Zwiesel Pure Wine Glasses
BEST OVERALL
One of the most revered champagne tulip glasses is from Schott Zwiesel. Known for its angular profile, the Schott Zwiesel fits in with most contemporary environments and aesthetics. The design and openness of the wide tulip shape allow for the champagne to breathe while focusing on the aromatic essence of the wine. This set features glass fused with zirconium and titanium that adds shine, strength and brilliance to the glass.
2. EverythingEtchedAZ Personalized Champagne Flute
PERSONALIZED PICK
If you’re celebrating an event, like a wedding, an anniversary or a birthday, you may want to consider ordering a personalized champagne flute. This one, which is available on Etsy, can be etched with an initial, a name and a date. Alternatively, you can choose other information to include on the glass with the company’s personalization tool. The nine-inch flutes come in the traditional, rounded style and are dishwasher safe.
3. Prestee Plastic Champagne Flutes
BEST DISPOSABLE
Although we would argue that every household needs at least one quality pair of champagne flutes, some occasions call for plasticware. This is especially true if you want to make a single toast with a lot of people, meaning you’ll need more than just two or four glasses. This set of 24 plastic champagne flutes were designed for just that. And, their fancy gold rims make them ready for any type of party.
4. Say Ho Um Vintage Crystal Champagne Coupe Glasses
BEST COUPE
These vintage-inspired coupe glasses have a 1920s Great Gatsby feel, but that’s okay because a little party never hurts anybody! This glass features a rounded bowl that makes drinking champagne and cocktails easy and elegant. The glasses are made from luxurious lead-free crystal glass and are dishwasher safe. They come in a gift box, which helps with transportation and it also helps for aesthetic purposes.
5. Godinger Champagne Coupe
MOST DECORATIVE
Made from Dublin crystal, Godinger’s champagne glasses are perfect for those wanting a decorative coupe glass. The glasses feature embellishments at the bottom of the bowl that will surely catch your eye when the light hits them. Also, they have thicker stems, which help with the sturdiness of the glass.
6. Fitz and Floyd Daphne Glass Flute
MOST UNIQUE
While most champagne flutes tend to vary from one another by their shape, the Fitz and Floyd Daphne Glass Flute adds in color and texture to ensure it stands out from the crowd. We love the golden, hexagonal pattern around the base of the glass. This glittery set of four glasses would be the ideal fit for a New Year’s Eve party. However, keep in mind that this set is not dishwasher safe, so they may take some extra time to clean by hand.
7. AOOE Champagne Flutes Glass Set
BEST HYBRID DESIGN
The hand-blown AOOE Champagne Flutes are a work of art, but the real reason they are on our list is that they are one of the best hybrids between a flute and a coupe. This tulip-like design allows the bubbles to properly rise as well as carry the aromas to the surface, just like a flute. But, it also helps enhance the effect of the bubbles and maintain the color of the champagne, like a coupe. If you want the best of both worlds, these glasses are a great choice.
8. JoyJolt Milo Stemless Champagne Flutes
BEST STEMLESS
A popular champagne glass silhouette is the stemless silhouette. The stemless silhouette is known for its sleek shape and style and its ability to travel around a function without the clunky stem of a wine glass. Every glass features a slim, slightly rounded bowl and flat, thicker bottom for sitting purposes. They also feature lead-free crystal glass that reinforces the strength and brilliance of the glasses.
9. Uncommon Goods Recycled Stemless Flutes
MOST SUSTAINABLE
While these glasses don’t boast a traditional flute shape, they are toast-worthy thanks to the fact that they’re made from recycled wine bottles. These glasses are hand-blown in Morocco, giving each one a slightly unique shape. The flutes boast a wider-than-normal base to prevent tips and spills in the midst of a party, but the narrow mouth still allows champagne bubbles to remain suspended in the glass. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe.
10. Gracefulhat Champagne Flutes
BEST STEMMED
Awarding glasses as the ‘best stemmed’ might seem a little strange considering wine glasses and champagne flutes everywhere have stems that work. But the reason we’ve given the Gracefulhat Champagne Flutes this title is because their stems are designed to transition directly into the cup. When you hold these glasses in your hand, you’ll barely notice that the stem gets slightly wider as you work your way up from the base. With your eyes closed, you wouldn’t be able to tell where the stem ends and the cup begins, giving these champagne glasses the best stems we’ve seen.
11. Elixir Champagne Flutes
BEST FLAT BOTTOMS
This set features champagne flutes that are angular and have an eye-catching design that’s sure to elevate your sipping extravaganza. Each glass is handmade with lead-free crystal and has a tempered glass stem for support. Elixir’s champagne flute has an elegant, sophisticated feel that will help you showcase your drink. If you buy these glasses, you also receive a one-year warranty to ensure the safety of your glasses.
12. Dorset Toasting Flutes
BEST FOR TOASTING
Williams Sonoma’s Dorset Toasting Flutes are perfect for that commemorative moment. Whether it’s a wedding, graduation, New Year’s celebration or any other grand occasion, Williams Sonoma has you covered with these glasses. They catch and reflect light due to their antique-inspired hand-cut design which is sure to add razzle-dazzle to your sparkling wine. These elongated lute glasses are exquisite yet charming.
13. Eparé Champagne Flutes Glass
BEST FOR LONGER USE
Often, champagne glasses are used for a limited amount of time. After all, when was the last time you drank more than one bottle of champagne? However, there are occasions when you might drink champagne for several hours, like mimosas at Sunday brunch or at a bachelorette party. In that case, the Eparé Champagne Flutes Glasses could be a good choice. They are double-walled, preventing condensation on the exterior of the glass which keeps your drink chilled for as long as possible.
14. Aspen & Birch – Modern Champagne Flutes Set
MOST MODERN
Who says champagne glasses need to have rounded bottoms? The Aspen & Birch stemware company has decided to modernize the champagne flutes by giving their glasses a flat bottom. Not only does this help this set look attractive, but it also provides a convenient shelf-like grip between the stem and the glass. This prevents you from warming the champagne with your hand as you don’t need to grip the glass around the liquid. As an added bonus, these glasses are made from lead-free crystal glass.
15. Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige Wine Glass
BEST FOR SPARKLING WINES
The Riedel Wine Glass Company is renowned for its 300 years of service to the wine glass industry; thus, their products are highly respected. The Riedel Vinum wine glass has the typical silhouette of a champagne flute. It has a slightly narrower bowl, and it has a medium-height stem.
16. Spode Christmas Tree Glass Flute
BEST FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The holidays are a special time, and you can make them even more special with these Spode Christmas Tree Glass Flutes. Each flute is painted with a traditional Christmas scene and finished with a gold rim. Spode actually introduced its annual Christmas tree decor in 1938, releasing a new design each year, making these pieces excellent for collectors. Celebrate the season in style with Spode champagne glasses.
17. Marquis by Waterford Markham Flutes
BEST SPLURGE
If you want the creme-de-la-creme of champagne glasses, buy Marquis by Waterford Flutes. These champagne glasses boast a traditional crystal design with defined stems and a laser-cut pattern around the base of the glass. This is the type of glass you’ll feel in your hand, adding to its elegance. Your next dinner party will ooze class with this set of four champagne flutes on the table.