Put Down the Flute!

Fancy glassware looks festive but dampens flavour

Sparkling wine is associated with celebration: the idea of bubbly calls to mind a toast or happy occasion; a ritual to mark a milestone. The urge to pour it into a special glass makes sense. But while flutes and coupes (the flute’s wide, shallow cousin) appear festive, they’re actually lessening the quality of your drinking experience.

Sparkling wine is complex

Like any other type of wine, sparkling wine contains a network of sensory delights: layers of scent, flavour and texture all working together to create a harmonious drinking experience. Pouring it into a flute or coupe can mute some of those sensations and flatten your perception of the wine.

Flutes mute aroma and flavour

Bubbles are forced into a tight, narrow space in a flute. While that’s fun for watching them burst and pop, it mutes many of the wine’s characteristics. Less exposure to air decreases the aromatic intensity, meaning when you stick your nose in, you won’t be able to smell the full symphony of aromatics. Pouring your bubbly into a wider bowl, like a regular wine glass, will allow the layers of scent to unfold.

More surface area will also encourage greater flavour expression on the palate: rather than just showing acidity and citrus top notes, a sparkling wine that is allowed to open up can express secondary notes like nuttiness and baked bread toastiness.

The tasting experience doesn’t end with the smell and taste, either: the mouthfeel is also affected by the shape of the glass. Bubbles in a flute will feel sharper upon drinking, while a wider wine glass allows them to spread and creates a softer, smoother texture.

While you’re at it, toss the coupe

Coupes work in the opposite way of the flute, allowing too much exposure to air. This causes carbonation to dwindle quickly and the aromas blow off too easily. The wine will in turn feel a bit flat and flabby.

The regular wine glass reigns supreme

The solution? Simply use a classic wine glass, preferably a white glass with a slightly tapered rim, to fully enjoy the effervescent experience that is a glass of sparkling wine.