Last time, we did a deep dive into sparkling wines, looked at a few different ones and how they’re made. Today, we’ll take a little look at how to show off those tiny bubbles. 🥂
Which glass is best? Best is a tricky term. It can simply depend on what you have on hand, and what you like.
But if you want to showcase your sparkling wine, especially if you’ve made an investment in that sparkling wine, it’s good to know some of the differences.
Let’s look at four types:

Coupe – This glass is the most classic version of all to showcase your sparkling wines. It’s the glass that typically has a wide bowl and opening. The much-circulated myth that King Louis XVI had the glass fashioned after Marie Antoinette’s breast, is just that, a myth. The glass was actually designed in 1660’s England by a Benedictine monk. While it can be a pretty and very classic way to serve your sparkling wine (and the best way to make a Champagne fountain), its design is not optimal. Because of the wide bowl and opening, both the effervescence and delicate aromas of the wine dissipate and fade very quickly. You want to enjoy the bubbles for a while. The coupe glass doesn’t allow for that.
Sorry to burst your bubble.

Flute – We’ve all seen and held a Champagne flute at least once in our lives. Long and cylindrical, the flute has a much smaller opening and a higher fill line. This can highlight the bubbles as they escape to the surface. Some even have little etches carved at the bottom creating a beautiful necklace effect as the bubbles travel up the sides of the glass. Gorgeous! This design does keep the bubbles intact for prolonged toasting and your 20th try for your perfect Instagram. That’s a plus.
But it’s also a minus because the surface area (and high fill in the glass) doesn’t allow for the wine to aerate, or let the delicate aromas of the sparkler to develop or unfold to its full potential. And if you’ve made an investment purchase, you want to fully taste what you’ve paid so much to enjoy.
Also, have you ever tried to get your nose into a Champagne flute? That’s trouble just waiting to happen.

Tulip (Redux) – This glass is ideal for any sparkling wine. It has a round shape that narrows gently at the top. This enables both bubble formation and aromas to fully open allowing for the perfect expression of the wine. And you can get your nose into the glass!

Why do I keep wanting you to stick your nose into the glass? To better appreciate all the aromas and flavors of the wine as you sip!

Tapering Wine Glass – Similar to the red Burgundy glass, this has a larger bowl than the tulip and a somewhat tapered top. This design allows your sparkler to breathe, and open up; bundling all of the flavors and aromas to your nose and palate, and maximizing the full potential of the wine. And the bubbles still look pretty enough for your selfie.

Whatever style of glass you have, try to make sure it has a stem. I know, stemless is a cool looking trend but sparkling wines are meant to be enjoyed cold. Cold temps keep the fresh, vibrant character of the wine and the bubbles bubbling. The heat from your hand as you hold the stemless glass can warm the wine too quickly, removing the chill and tarnishing some of the sparkle.

Of course, if your wine won’t be in the glass that long, all bets are off – a jelly jar is just fine!😁

Next time – Part 3 – Unique Pairings – What to serve with your sparkler when oysters and fish just aren’t your thing.

*Be sure to join me on 900CHML’s Bill Kelly Show, (w/guest host Shiona Thompson) on Thursday, December 30th at 11:00am!🎙🎉

Cheers!🥂

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