Champagne Flute vs. Wine Glass: Which Is Better for Sparkling Wine?
By Bordeaux Brian for Pair It & Share It · Published
BOTTOM LINE
A flute is great for a toast and keeps bubbles on show. For tasting the wine itself, a wine glass with a wider bowl that narrows at the rim gives aromas more room — the approach glassmaker RIEDEL takes with its Champagne Wine Glass.
Quick decision
- Big toast, lots of guests→ Flutes
- Vintage Champagne or a special bottle→ A tulip-shaped wine glass
- Only one set of glasses→ A white wine glass works for sparkling too
What the maker says
RIEDEL describes its Veritas Champagne Wine Glass as designed so aromas can develop, with a larger rim diameter than a narrow flute, and a "sparkling point" in the bowl that creates a fine, even stream of bubbles. That's the manufacturer's description, not an independent test.
Pour size
Wine glasses hold more, so pour with care — a bottle still holds about five 5-ounce servings whatever glass you use.
Choosing a glass? See the Champagne and sparkling wine glasses its makers document, in the free Wine Glass Finder.
Sources
Want a glass its maker actually documents for your wine? The free Wine Glass Finder only shows manufacturer-documented matches. Find My Glass
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About the author. Bordeaux Brian brings more than 30 years of wine experience and firsthand experience in vineyards and wine regions around the world. His focus is practical: helping people make better wine decisions without the intimidation.