If you’ve ever poured yourself a glass of Champagne into one of those tall, skinny flutes and felt like it looked better than it tasted—you’re not imagining things.
Sure, flutes look fancy and show off the bubbles, but when it comes to actually smelling and tasting what’s in your glass, they’re holding you back.
Let’s unpack why swapping your flute for a tulip-shaped glass or even a regular white wine glass will instantly level up your Champagne game.
Watch the video explainer on Instagram
Champagne is more than just bubbles
Most people think of Champagne as its own thing—but at the end of the day, Champagne is a wine, and it’s made from some of the world’s most iconic grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
In fact, most bottles are made from some combination of these three. And if you were drinking a still Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, you’d pour it into a wine glass with a larger bowl—because those styles need a bit of space to breathe and reveal their aromas.
So, why wouldn’t you do the same with Champagne?
What flutes get wrong
Flutes were basically designed to show off the sparkle. That tall, narrow shape makes the bubbles rise in elegant streams—and yes, it looks great for a toast.
But functionally, flutes don’t give you much to work with when it comes to aroma or flavour. The opening is small, so you can’t really smell what’s in the glass. And Champagne isn’t just fizzy—it’s layered with notes of citrus, brioche, stone fruit, almonds, florals, and sometimes a touch of funk from ageing on lees.
Flutes lock in those aromas, and that means you’re missing out on everything that makes Champagne, well, Champagne.
What to use instead
A tulip-shaped glass (think: slightly wider bowl with a gentle taper at the top) is perfect. It gives the wine just enough room to breathe and lets the aromas gather toward the rim. You still get the bubbles—but now you also get the flavour.
And if you don’t have tulip glasses? A regular white wine glass works beautifully. Honestly, it’s better than a flute nine times out of ten. The wider bowl gives the wine more surface area, helping it open up, and the slightly tapered rim still channels the aromas toward your nose.
Do the experiment
Don’t take our word for it—try it yourself.
Next time you open a bottle, pour half into a flute and half into a tulip or white wine glass. Give both a swirl. Smell. Sip. Compare.
You’ll notice it straight away:
- The wine feels more expressive in the wider glass
- The aromas are easier to pick up
- The texture is often softer and creamier
- It just tastes better
You’ll still have the bubbles, but now they’re joined by actual depth and character.
Final thoughts
Champagne isn’t just something you open at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s a seriously well-made wine that deserves more than a narrow flute that masks its best qualities.
So, if you want to really taste your Champagne—and not just look at the bubbles—swap the flute for a proper wine glass. It’s one small change that can make a big difference in how you enjoy what’s in the bottle.
And honestly? Once you try it, you won’t go back.
Main photo credit: Riedel - Superleggero Champagne Wine Glass
