Champagne glasses · A sommelier’s guide
Champagne Glasses: Flute, Tulip or Coupe? A Sommelier’s Guide
By Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier15 years serving wine
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Short on time? The sommelier’s picks
Riedel Ti Amo Champagne Flutes$$$
AmazonCheck today’s priceRiedel 003 Champagne Glass$$$
AmazonCheck today’s priceZalto Denk’Art Champagne$$$$
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The short answer
The flute is the most popular champagne glass: it keeps the bubbles alive longer. For more aroma, be adventurous and drink champagne from a white wine glass.
The champagne glass keeps changing. In the past it was the coupe, today it is the flute, and more and more people now reach for a wine glass. So there is no one correct champagne glass, only the one that suits what you want from the wine.
Want the bubbles, a toast or a brunch cocktail? Take the flute. Want to smell the champagne? Take a white wine glass.
Then, now, next
The champagne glass keeps changing
01 · Then
The coupe
Wide and shallow. The glass you see in old films, like Titanic.
02 · Now
The flute
Tall and narrow. The most popular glass today: it keeps the bubbles alive longer.
03 · Next
The wine glass
More people now drink champagne from a Burgundy wine glass, to smell the aroma. Some even add ice.
Side by side
Types of champagne glasses: the chart
Coupe
- Shape
- Wide and shallow
- When
- The past
- Bubbles
- Fade fast
- Aroma
- Escapes fast
- Best for
- The look of the old films
Flute
- Shape
- Tall and narrow
- When
- Today, the most popular
- Bubbles
- Stay alive the longest
- Aroma
- Little: filled high, hard to swirl
- Best for
- Toasts, and brunch: a Mimosa or a Kir Royal
Tulip
- Shape
- The flute’s cousin: wider in the middle, narrower at the rim
- When
- Today, for special toasts
- Bubbles
- Hold well
- Aroma
- More than a flute
- Best for
- A special bottle
White wine glass
- Shape
- A white wine glass, like a Riesling glass
- When
- The adventurous choice
- Bubbles
- Still hold
- Aroma
- The most: the aroma opens up
- Best for
- Learning champagne’s aroma
The flute
Why the flute is the most popular champagne glass
The flute keeps the bubbles alive longer. That is why it is the most popular champagne glass today.
It is also the glass for champagne cocktails. A Mimosa or a Kir Royal at brunch belongs in a flute.
The flute’s weak point is aroma. You fill it high, and it is very hard to swirl, so you don’t get much of the smell.
How full
How full should you pour a champagne glass?
With red and white wine, you pour less, so there is room to swirl and smell the wine. Champagne is different. You don’t need to swirl, because the bubbles do the work, so you can pour the flute almost full.
That is why the champagne glass is different from the other wine glasses.
Be adventurous
Can you drink champagne from a wine glass?
Yes, and if you want the aroma, I suggest it. Be adventurous and go for a white wine glass. Some champagnes are really aromatic because of how they are made; some houses age the wine in oak, and that aroma is worth finding.
If you are new to champagne and want to understand its aroma and its character, start with a white wine glass. A Riesling glass works beautifully, and it saves money too: you don’t need extra glasses. More in my white wine glass guide.
For the same reason, more people now drink champagne from a Burgundy wine glass: they want to smell it.
The tulip
What is a tulip champagne glass?
The tulip is the flute’s cousin: tall like a flute, wider in the middle and narrower at the rim. It keeps the bubbles and gives you more aroma than a flute. It is the glass for the special toasts.
The coupe
Is a coupe good for champagne?
The coupe is the wide, shallow glass you see in old films, like Titanic. That was the past. Today the flute is the better choice, because it keeps the bubbles going.
The bottle
How many glasses of champagne in a bottle?
From hotel service
A regular bottle gives 5 to 6 flutes.
Champagne comes in bigger bottles too. A magnum holds two regular bottles, so it gives 10 to 12 flutes.
Once it’s open
How long does champagne last once opened?
Drink it within a day, two at most. After that, the bubbles are gone.
What to buy
Best champagne glasses: my three picks
Price level: $ budget · $$ everyday · $$$ mid-range · $$$$ premium. The buttons show today’s price on Amazon.
- 01
The most popular
Riedel Ti Amo Champagne Flutes
Flute · Set of 4 · crystal · dishwasher safe · $$$
Best for: Toasts, parties, and brunch cocktails.
The flute is the most popular champagne glass, and this is a classic one. It keeps the bubbles alive longer, and it is the glass for champagne cocktails: a Mimosa or a Kir Royal at brunch.
Four crystal flutes in the box, and they go in the dishwasher.
- 02
Be adventurous
Riedel 00 Collection 003 Champagne Glass
Wine-glass shape · Set of 4 · 15.5 oz · machine-made · dishwasher safe · $$$
Best for: Smelling the aroma, and learning what champagne is.
This champagne glass is shaped like a white wine glass. If you want the aroma, this is the way to go: you can swirl, the aroma opens up, and the bubbles still hold.
Four machine-made glasses in the box, dishwasher safe. Riedel suggests it for dry rosé too.
- 03
The finest
Zalto Denk’Art Champagne
Tulip · 2 glasses · 220 ml · crystal · $$$$
Best for: A special bottle and a special toast.
A tulip for the special toasts. Zalto calls it ultra-thin and feather-light, and it gives a great champagne room for its aroma.
It is very delicate, so handle it with care. More in the Zalto Champagne guide.
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The three picks side by side
Riedel Ti Amo Champagne Flute
Shop- Type
- Flute
- In the box
- 4
- Made
- Crystal
- Dishwasher
- Yes
- Price
- $$$
- For
- Toasts, brunch
Riedel 00 Collection 003 Champagne
Shop- Type
- Wine-glass shape, 15.5 oz
- In the box
- 4
- Made
- Machine-made glass
- Dishwasher
- Yes
- Price
- $$$
- For
- The aroma
Zalto Denk’Art Champagne
Shop- Type
- Tulip, 220 ml
- In the box
- 2
- Made
- Crystal
- Dishwasher
- With care
- Price
- $$$$
- For
- Special toasts
My picks from this guide
Ready to choose?
One click shows today’s price on Amazon.
- Check today’s price
Riedel Ti Amo Champagne Flutes$$$
- Check today’s price
Riedel 003 Champagne Glass$$$
- Check today’s price
Zalto Denk’Art Champagne$$$$
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Champagne glasses FAQ
What are the different types of champagne glasses?
Three classic shapes: the coupe, wide and shallow, the glass of old films; the flute, tall and narrow, the most popular today; and the tulip, the flute's cousin, wider in the middle and narrower at the rim. More people now also drink champagne from a white wine glass, for the aroma.
What is the best glass for champagne?
There is no one correct glass. The flute is the most popular because it keeps the bubbles alive longer. If you want more aroma, be adventurous and use a white wine glass, like a Riesling glass.
What is a tulip champagne glass?
The flute's cousin: tall like a flute, wider in the middle and narrower at the rim. It keeps the bubbles and gives more aroma than a flute. It is the glass for special toasts.
Are coupe glasses good for champagne?
The coupe is the glass of the past, the wide, shallow one you see in old films like Titanic. Today the flute is the better choice, because it keeps the bubbles going.
How full should you pour a champagne flute?
Almost full. With red and white wine you pour less, so you can swirl and smell. Champagne doesn't need swirling: the bubbles do the work.
How many glasses of champagne are in a bottle?
A regular bottle gives 5 to 6 flutes. A magnum holds two regular bottles, so it gives 10 to 12.
How long does champagne last after opening?
Drink it within a day, two at most. After that, the bubbles are gone.
Can you drink champagne from a wine glass?
Yes. A white wine glass gives you more aroma, and the bubbles still hold. Some champagnes are really aromatic because of how they are made, and a white wine glass lets you find it. If you are new to champagne, it is the best way to learn its aroma.