Which champagne glasses are best?
Whether you’re feeling festive or celebrating something special, a glass of sparkling wine is exactly what the occasion calls for. To create the perfect toast, select celebration-ready champagne glasses.
With long stems and slender profiles, champagne glasses exude elegance and luxury. There are countless varieties of sparkling wine, and you may find just as many styles of champagne glasses, such as tapered, etched, and handblown. If you’re looking for a contemporary set, there are varieties that feature metal, ceramic or hand-painted accents.
Not sure which set of champagne glasses suits your next occasion? Read our buying guide to find the right ones. We’re including our top choices as well as our favorite, Lenox’s Tuscany Classics Crystal Flute Set. This classic stemware set includes four sparkling, lead-free crystal glasses.
What to know before you buy champagne glasses
Popular silhouettes
- Flute: The traditional silhouette for champagne glasses is the flute, whose shape is tall and narrow to capture bubbles. The shape also helps you enjoy your sparkling wine at a leisurely pace, as it prevents your drink from going flat, which often happens in wide glasses.
- Coupe: Coupe glasses were more popular in the past, and while they remain an attractive option, they’re less common. Unlike flutes, coupe glasses have a short half-moon shape that sits atop a mid-length stem. Bubbles escape quickly, given the larger rim, so coupe glasses are repurposed to enjoy other types of cocktails or beverages.
- Tulip: Tulip champagne glasses have a bulbous shape with a tapered rim and a wide bowl. They perform well when it comes to keeping bubbles inside the glass and are popular for their easy-to-hold shape.
What to look for in quality champagne glasses
Capacity
Champagne glasses are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One thing they have in common is their capacities, which hold between 5 and 10 ounces of sparkling wine. Choosing a capacity is largely based on preference, but it also plays a role in convenience. Smaller-capacity glasses, for example, require refills far more often than larger ones.
Stems
It’s easy to admire a champagne glass from an aesthetic perspective, but did you know their long stems are actually functional? When you hold onto the stem, you’re actually protecting the sparkling wine from the heat emanating from your hands. This allows sparkling wine to remain at the optimal temperature for a longer period, resulting in a more pleasurable drinking experience.
Materials
The majority of champagne glasses are made from crystal or glass. Crystal remains the most expensive choice, though some glass options can be rather costly as well. There are also plastic champagne glasses, which are used for less formal events, such as outdoor parties and picnics. As expected, these are a budget-friendly choice but aren’t intended for long-term use.
How much you can expect to spend on champagne glasses
You can find some plastic champagne glasses for $20 and below, but you need to spend closer to $50 on a decent glass set with two to four pieces. If you’re willing to spend $50-$250, there are designer crystal and glass sets with more aesthetic value.
Champagne glasses FAQ
What’s the best way to store my collection of champagne glasses?
A. Given their fragile nature, it’s recommended to store them in their own cupboard or cabinet, if you have room. Another popular way to store them is on a hanging glass rack. Bar carts are also an option, especially those with molded areas to hold stems or bases.
Why do my crystal champagne glasses smell strange, even after I’ve washed them?
A. Unlike glass, crystal actually retains odors, and what you’re smelling is a mixture of sparkling wine and soapy residue. To eliminate odors, you may need to choose a sparkling wine glass-friendly cleaner, namely one that is a no-odor formula with a high focus on removing smells.
What champagne glasses are the best to buy?
Top champagne glasses
Lenox’s Tuscany Classics Crystal Flute Set
What you need to know: This is a gift-worthy set made from a leader in the glass and crystal space.
What you’ll love: This set offers a classic design and is made from full-lead crystal. Also, the tapered design sustains bubbles.
What you should consider: The clinking sound can fall flat, and the design is a bit plain for some.
Top champagne glasses for the money
U.S. Acrylic’s Premium Plastic Champagne Flute Set
What you need to know: This budget-friendly plastic set is durable enough to be washed and reused.
What you’ll love: The set is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. It offers an attractive shape with a tapered bottom.
What you should consider: It can sustain damage easily, and only lasts through a few uses.
Worth checking out
Libbey’s Stemless Champagne Flute Set
What you need to know: This set offers a contemporary, stemless design with an 8.5-ounce capacity.
What you’ll love: It has a stable base and low center of gravity, and it’s versatile enough for use with other beverages.
What you should consider: It can be difficult to remove stickers from the bottom of the glasses.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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