What Is A Champagne Glass
A champagne glass is a glass which has been specifically designed for serving champagne and sparkling wines, drinks which are notoriously finicky. There are several different types of champagne glasses, with most people preferring the flute shape. Most kitchen suppliers sell champagne glasses, and all reputable producers of fine crystal include champagne glasses in their lineups, for people who wish to coordinate their crystal.
Two issues are addressed in the design of the champagne glass. The first is a desire to maintain a consistent temperature, as champagne is traditionally served chilled. This is accomplished by making champagne glasses with stems, allowing people to hold the stem, instead of the bowl of the glass. This places them in a class with other stemware. The second is the desire to maintain carbonation, ensuring that the wine stays carbonated instead of flattening after it has been poured.
The original champagne glass was the champagne coupe. Coupes have medium-length stems and saucer-like bowls, and they were developed in the 1600s. The coupe design looks very interesting, but it has a major drawback: the wide mouth allows carbonation to disperse rapidly. Unless the wine is drunk as soon as it is poured, it rapidly goes flat in a champagne coupe, and this is not desirable.
