Proudly Canadian
Your Champagne Glass Matters
Nadia Michaud on why the flute is only part of the story: what a bowl, a rim, a stem and a little height do for Champagne's aromas and bubbles, and which glass to reach for next.
Imagine a wine tasting. Now imagine a Champagne tasting. Do you see three flutes in front of you? Probably not. And there’s a reason.
We update our kitchens. We rethink our wine cellars. We upgrade our cars. Yet many of us still drink Champagne from glassware we chose, received or inherited decades ago. To fully experience Champagne, its aromas, effervescence, texture and character, perhaps it is time to reconsider the glass.
Long Live the Flute
The flute has earned its reputation. Tall, slender and elegant, it has symbolized Champagne and celebration for generations. Even our symbols and emojis still depict Champagne in a flute. It showcases those beautiful rising bubbles and instantly says, “We’re celebrating.”
But looking fabulous isn’t everything.
Not Just a Pretty Glass
A Champagne glass should do more than look pretty.
A generous bowl gives Champagne room to open and its aromas space to develop, while a narrower opening gathers and concentrates those aromas toward the nose. Enough height gives the bubbles room to form and rise. Those bubbles are not merely decorative. As they travel through the wine and burst at the surface, they enhance Champagne’s flavour.
Then there are the details we rarely think about. A fine, thin rim makes the transition from crystal to palate almost disappear. Clear glass lets us appreciate colour, clarity and effervescence before the first sip. And the stem? More than elegance. It keeps warm hands and fingerprints away from the experience.
Every element has a purpose. Look at the bubbles. Listen to their whisper. Feel the fine crystal. Take in the aromas. Then savour the taste. Champagne engages all five senses. And ultimately, the way we feel.
So, What Should You Reach For?
A tulip-shaped glass combines a generous bowl with a narrower opening, giving Champagne room to open while concentrating its aromas toward the nose. Vintage and prestige cuvée Champagnes can particularly benefit from a larger white wine glass, giving the wine more room to open and reveal its aromas and character.
Should you retire your flutes? Not so fast. There is something undeniably elegant about a row of slender flutes filled with rising bubbles. And those coupes you inherited? Keep them too. Glassware can carry memories as beautifully as it carries Champagne. The occasion matters.
The Proof is in the Glass
Next time you open a bottle, experiment. Pour the same Champagne into a flute and a tulip or white wine glass. Look. Listen. Smell. Feel. Taste. Notice the difference.
Your flute may not be pleased. You might be.
After all, if we take such care choosing the Champagne, shouldn’t we give the same thought to the glass? Cheers!
Book your Educate Me! or Surprise Me! at Experience@oohlabulle.com to experience Champagne differently. @oohlabulle
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As featured in The Canada Magazine, October 2026 issue.
See the October issue content