Champagne glasses

The world-famous drink champagne has won the hearts of many connoisseurs of white wines. It is a must-have at a wedding, and is appropriate for a romantic dinner. There is a whole art to serving this drink, which reveals its taste properties. For these purposes, champagne glasses of various shapes and capacities are selected. The bottom can be supplemented with a stem. An important point is to know the features of table setting and the correct serving of champagne.

How Champagne Glasses Came to Be

The history of champagne glasses goes back to the times of the French King Louis XIV. Initially, alcohol was consumed from filled cups. Over time, the royal aristocracy wanted to enjoy the sparkling drink from unusual glassware.

Legend has it that the shape of the glass was invented by the king. He ordered an imprint of his beloved's breast to be made in order to reproduce it in the form of a crystal bowl. Thus, a shallow container was created.

Additional information. The canvas, painted by the artist François de Troyes, depicts a group of men enjoying themselves in a palace. In the painting, you can see a basket with bottles of ice cubes inside. The people holding the wine glasses are shaped like the letter V.

The advantages of champagne glasses

A beautiful glass gives an original look to a festive table, fully complying with the rules of etiquette. It has the following advantages:

• the glasses look festive, creating a festive atmosphere for any event;
• Presented in an impressive design, sparkling wine glasses can be made with a pattern in the form of rhombuses, with diamond edges;
• the products are durable;
• The distinctive feature is the elegant external appearance of the glass, while at the same time it has considerable weight;
• A tall glass can preserve the aroma and taste of a drink for a long time.

What kind of champagne vessels should there be?

Over the centuries, the configuration of champagne glasses has changed repeatedly. Manufacturers produce unusual products, distinguished by asymmetrical, square shapes. There are also designer options, conical, flat, multi-colored, smooth, engraved surfaces. You can buy models with a funnel-shaped bottom. In such a container, the drink plays in a special way.

There are generally accepted standards that include the main types of glassware for sparkling drinks:

• Classic flute - is a configuration with a volume of one hundred sixty to three hundred milliliters. They are distinguished by an oblong shape, the base is flat, the stem is medium-sized. Due to the narrow neck, the contact space of the liquid with air is minimized. The depth of the bowl contributes to the formation of bubbles that rise beautifully. The best option for young sparkling wines;
• Trumpet - a wine glass is equipped with a capacious cone-shaped bowl, the base is wide. This configuration clearly demonstrates bubbles. Also, in such a container the drink is fully revealed. Suitable for aged wines;
• Fleur – has a wide neck. The average capacity is two hundred milliliters. Nowadays, such glasses are used to serve cocktails. Pyramids made from bowls – glasses filled with champagne – look impressive.

Types of wine glass shapes

Champagne flutes differ from other glasses by their narrow, tall shape. This allows the sparkling wine to retain its taste qualities.

Flute (flute)

This glass is shaped like a flute, hence the name. It is characterized by a high stem and a bowl with thin edges. This helps the container stay cool, preventing the contents from warming up.

Drinking from a flute is a pleasure. It is worth remembering that the glass is filled to two-thirds of its volume. It is not allowed to fill it completely. The standard volume is considered to be one hundred and fifty milliliters. It is recommended to cool the champagne before serving, as well as the glass for it.

Sparkling wine is poured into such a glass slowly, at an angle. To settle the foam, the champagne should be filled in two stages.

Cup (saucer, chalet, bowl)

The main feature of such a glass is the shape of a wide or flattened saucer, a high stem. The capacity varies from one hundred twenty to two hundred forty milliliters.

Thanks to this configuration, the wine is quickly decarbonized. In this case, the chalet is considered the opposite of the flute, which slows down the degassing of the sparkling wine as much as possible. The next feature is that the aroma of the drink does not accumulate at the top of the product.

The saucer is used for practical purposes for inexpensive sparkling wines, helping to evaluate the taste properties of sweet varieties. At a presentation or buffet, they are used to build a spectacular pyramid. This way, you can get an original cascade of champagne flowing from the top saucers down, filling the entire structure with its contents. They are also used to make a variety of alcoholic cocktails.

Nowadays, glasses are almost never called cups; this name can be found in specialized literature. The popularity of the saucer is explained by its increased display as a symbol of luxury in many paintings.

The saucer is slightly inferior to the flute due to its good performance characteristics. For sweet champagne, the saucer is the best option, but now the most popular are dry varieties.

Tulip

The vessel is equipped with a not significant height of a wide silhouette. The upper part is narrowed. Such a glass perfectly helps to reveal the bouquet of champagne. At the same time, the narrow shape maintains rapid decarbonation of the drink.

A tulip-shaped glass ensures that the liquid penetrates to the center of the tongue, where most of the taste receptors are located. Champagne lovers rightly appreciate the tulip, although it is inferior to the saucer and flute.

The classic sparkling wine glass has a narrow shape. This type optimally maintains the temperature necessary for the drink.

There are also square, flat glasses. They can be used to serve combination drinks based on champagne.

Wide glasses are ideal for enjoying the play of bubbles and aromas of the drink. It is impossible to keep champagne in such a container for a long time, the gases can evaporate instantly.

How the structure of the glass and the material affect the taste characteristics

Configuration, size, and material of manufacture help to fully reveal the bouquet of sparkling wine, to feel the taste notes. As a test, it is enough to drink one drink from a glass and a regular mug. A noticeable difference will appear immediately. Configuration, wall thickness - these parameters are important. The main criterion influencing the taste characteristics is the shape.

The first reason is the effect of the container's shape on the content of aromatic compounds, which are responsible for revealing the taste and filling the bouquet of wine. For example, a wide glass with a significant surface area for the connection of the drink with oxygen, phenols are instantly converted into esters, which give it a pronounced dry taste.

The second point is the structure of the human organs of taste perception. On the tip of the tongue are receptors responsible for the feeling of sweetness. The tongue can recognize a slightly bitter taste in the larynx, the sensation of acidity will be on the sides of the tongue, the salty taste is perceived equally by any point on the surface. The shape of the glasses allows you to direct the liquid to the area where it will be perceived correctly. A glass with a wide bowl is convenient for taking small sips. A narrow one requires a person to throw his head back while drinking. Two different sips will be in different taste zones.

Crystal glasses

A necessary attribute for table setting at a festive event, anniversary - crystal champagne glasses. Crystal was considered the personification of wealth and nobility. Previously, not everyone could afford to buy such dishes.

Today, the crystal set also symbolizes sophistication, refinement, and a sense of solemnity. It has the following advantages:

• Aesthetic appearance – visual perception is important during a ceremony or party. Such a container is decorated with various elements;
• Thanks to the pleasant sound of the glasses, a special atmosphere of festive splendor is created.

Glass vessels

A common material for making champagne glasses is leaded glass. The raw material has a transparent structure and is transparent. The only downside is the short service life and fragility of the products.

Original glasses in multi-colored glass are considered universal. This is an interesting gift for a housewarming.

Manufacturers offer transparent, colored glasses made of durable glass. A beautiful set will look unusual, will not get lost among other tableware.

Rays of light falling on a blue or green glass accentuate the spectacular design of the bowl and base. Colored glasses will fit into any interior, will harmonize with any color palette and festive style. Glass is a universal material that can be combined with others.

How to choose the right champagne glasses

A well-chosen glass shape allows you to reflect and recreate the character of champagne. It is worth choosing the right glasses:

• Material of manufacture - it is better to give preference to crystal products. You can also buy glass champagne glasses of Czech and German production;
• It is better to make a purchase in specialized stores. In which it is possible to touch and examine the goods closely. Online stores also offer a wide range, the only thing is that you will not be able to check the integrity;
• Variety, type – everyone chooses the option that suits them. Connoisseurs of slow drinking can use a flute. A saucer is suitable for noisy fun. It is better to try a high-quality drink from a tulip;
• Size – the capacity of the glasses is a matter of taste. Here it is worth considering the width of the neck. If it is large, degassing will occur faster. If the edges of the bowl are slightly bent inward, the aroma will last longer. The presence of a long stem contributes to a better disclosure of taste properties;
• Before purchasing, the product is checked for integrity, especially glass. The edges are carefully felt for chips;
• Crystal products produce a distinct sound upon contact without any extraneous noise.

How to hold a glass of champagne

You need to hold the glass with three fingers by the thin stem. You can't grasp the cup with your whole palm. Sparkling drinks are not characterized by heating. Any type of wine should be served chilled. If the drink receives a significant amount of heat, there is a risk of losing its taste properties.

A girl should know how to hold a glass of champagne correctly to look elegant. It is necessary to place three or four fingers on the stem of the glass. It is not recommended to leave lipstick marks on the glass. You need to touch the surface with your lips in one place. After taking a small sip of wine, your gaze should be directed into the vessel. If you have to clink glasses, try to hit them carefully with the bottom of the container.

Glass Etiquette

Table setting with glasses is carried out simultaneously with serving alcohol, it is also allowed to do this in advance. Drinks are served chilled, dishes do not need to be chilled separately.

A glass filled with champagne is held in the middle of the stem with three fingers, like a flower stem. The product is not taken by the bottom of the bowl to avoid heating. The drink is drunk measuredly, in small portions. The lips lightly touch the edges so that the liquid falls on the tongue at an angle in a small sip.

Caring for Champagne Glasses

Most glass goblets are dishwasher safe. The manufacturer provides care recommendations on the packaging. Crystal items require special care. They are washed under running warm water using a mild liquid detergent. Then they can be wiped dry with a cloth or a soft towel.

Popular Champagne Glass Manufacturers

The use of certain glassware for champagne brands requires high-quality execution. Popular manufacturers are rightfully considered to be the famous brands Bohemia, Villeroy & Boch, Pasabahce, RONA.

The Czech company Bohemia firmly holds the leading position in the production of exclusive glasses. The products are made of crystal and glass. A distinctive feature of the products is the melodic sound. The company also produces original designer sets. They are decorated with gold elements. The products have a company logo.

Conclusion

When choosing a certain type of glass, they all have their own advantages and have small disadvantages. For comfortable relaxation, a flute is suitable.

You can add charm and originality to the atmosphere of the banquet with the help of a pyramid built from chalets. Tulips will be an ideal option for drinking exclusive sparkling drinks.

Crystal champagne glasses "Riedel", "Bohemia" will look beautiful at any event. They will also be the best gift for a holiday. Champagne is considered a festive drink, a vessel for it is an indispensable companion.

VIDEO: How to choose the right champagne glass.