Champagne, You've Been Drinking It Wrong All Your Life (Part 1)

Whether it’s your daughter’s graduation, a work promotion or simply a cozy dinner party with good friends, popping a bottle of champagne is always a good idea. However there are a lot of misconceptions about HOW you should drink it. Do we know what kind of champagne is to be poured in which shape of glass and do we drink it at the right serving temperature?

The answer to both of these questions is unfortunately no. But don’t worry just yet, it’s not rocket science. Generally sparkling wine can be drank out of three different types of glasses. There is the iconic coupe, the popular flute and the elegant tulip. Each type has an impact on the flavor of the sparkling wine.

First of all, buying a coupe is never a bad idea, aesthetically it looks timeless and classy and you can always use it as an original desert dish. However when it comes to the taste of the Champagne, it’s not the best option. Due to the shallow bowl, the bubbles are exposed to air and will therefore fritter away quickly. The lack of bubbles will take the flavor of the champagne away very quickly, and it will taste rather flat. But if you want to look like a bad-ass Leonardo DiCaprio in the early twenties, do not hesitate to buy this item.

Nothing says ‘let’s celebrate’ more than a flute filled with premium champagne. The stem glass with the slender bowl is specifically made to retain the Champagne’s carbonation. The surface area remains small, so the bubbles can remain in the golden liquid. In contrary to the coupe, aroma and texture are better preserved thanks to the minimal oxygen-to-wine ratio. No wonder this is the most popular glass with champagne lovers!

And last but not least: the tulip. Needless to say, the glass has the form of a tulip flower and is also much liked by modern-day champagne drinkers. The difference with the flute is that the wider bowl allows more air to come into the glass, that causes the aroma and texture to develop even better. Nonetheless the surface is still narrow enough to avoid loss of carbonation.

 Take your time to make up your mind. Some glasses are worth investing in, some are not. That all depends on your personal taste. Meanwhile stay tuned for part 2, where the right serving temperature of champagne will be explained.

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