The Importance of Glassware in Wine Tasting
Wine is a living, subtle, and complex product. Its aromatic and gustatory expression depends not only on its terroir, grape variety, and vintage, but also on the vessel in which it is served. The glass is not a mere accessory: it acts as a revealer.
- For red wines:
- • Young, fruity wines (Beaujolais, Burgundy Pinot Noir) are best expressed in medium-sized bowls that enhance freshness and red-fruit notes.
- • Great wines for ageing (Bordeaux, Rhône Syrah) require large balloon-shaped glasses that allow optimal aeration and full revelation of tannins.
- For white wines:
- • Lively and aromatic wines (Loire Sauvignon, Alsace Riesling) unfold in narrow glasses that preserve tension and freshness.
- • Full-bodied whites for ageing (Burgundy Chardonnay, Meursault, Corton‑Charlemagne) benefit from broader glasses that reveal richness and oak-driven nuances.
- According to age:
- • A young wine calls for narrower glassware to concentrate primary aromas.
- • A mature wine prefers a wider opening to release its complexity.
This logic applies fully to Champagne, which is at once a wine of finesse and complexity.
Which Glasses to Choose for Champagne?
Long associated with the narrow flute or the wide coupe, Champagne truly reveals itself in tulip glasses or fine white wine glasses.
- – The traditional flute: elegant but too narrow, it traps aromas and limits complexity.
- – The coupe: festive in spirit, but its overly wide opening quickly disperses bubbles and aromas.
- – The tulip glass: slightly tightened at the rim, it preserves effervescence while allowing generous aromatic expression.
- – The white wine glass (Burgundy style): ideal for vintage and complex cuvées, offering volume and openness for tertiary aromas.
Leading Glassware Brands for Champagne
Several outstanding glassmakers offer models perfectly suited to Champagne:
| Brand | Recommended Model | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Riedel | “Veritas Champagne” glass | Fine walls, elegant tulip shape, precise aromatic focus |
| Zalto | Denk’Art Champagne | Extreme lightness, perfect balance, highly valued by sommeliers |
| Lehmann | Jamesse Prestige Collection | Generous bowl, marked point at the base, enhances effervescence |
| Spiegelau | Definition Universal | Excellent elegance‑to‑price ratio, very versatile |
| Chef&Sommelier | Open Up Effervescence | Technical design, strong aromatic concentration |
Serving Champagne: More Than Just the Glass
- – Temperature: 8–10°C for fresh cuvées, and 10–12°C for vintage champagnes.
- – Opening: delicate, with the cork held firmly so the gas escapes gently, without detonation.
- – Presentation: serve the bottle with elegance, slightly inclined, avoiding overfilling the glass.
- – Tasting: Champagne can be enjoyed on its own, but it reveals another dimension when paired with refined dishes.
Care and Storage of Glasses
To preserve brilliance and aromatic neutrality:
- – Washing: rinse with hot water without detergent, or use a dishwasher without scented products.
- – Drying: use a lint‑free microfiber cloth, holding the bowl and stem separately to avoid breakage.
- – Storage: place glasses upright, protected from dust and odors.
Which Glasses for the Laurent‑Perrier Range?
The choice of glass depends on the style of each cuvée and the savoir‑faire it embodies:
| Laurent‑Perrier Expertise | Signature Cuvées | Recommended Glass | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| savoir-faire of non-dosage | Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Ultra Brut | Narrow tulip glass | Preserves tension, minerality, and purity of the non‑dosage style |
| savoir-faire of maceration | Cuvée Rosé, Alexandra Rosé Millésimé 2012 | Rounded white wine glass | Unfolds red‑fruit aromas, complexity and elegance of rosés |
| savoir-faire of blending | La Cuvée, Brut Millésimé 2015, Héritage, Grand Siècle Iteration N°26 | Burgundy‑style white wine glass | Highlights depth, aromatic complexity and richness of great blends |
Conclusion
Which glasses for Champagne? Choosing the right glass is essential, as it reveals the finesse of the bubbles, the richness of aromas, and balance on the palate. Combined with precise service and suitable food pairings, it turns every tasting into an exceptional experience.
At Laurent‑Perrier, glassware selection is seen as a natural extension of each cuvée’s style: the purity of non‑dosage champagnes, the intensity of rosés, and the complexity of great blends.
Thus, more than a vessel, the glass becomes a partner in emotion.
