Serving champagne is a ritual. And as with any ritual, the details matter — including the glass. Flute or coupe? Tall and narrow or wide and open? In the hospitality industry, this is not just a style choice: the shape has a direct impact on the experience of the drink. In this article, we explain the difference.
The champagne flute
The tall, narrow flute (150–200 ml) has been the standard for champagne in hospitality for decades. The narrow opening retains the bubbles longer and allows them to rise beautifully in the glass — visually impressive and functionally correct for sparkling wines.
Advantages:
- Bubbles stay active longer
- Champagne stays cold longer due to smaller surface area
- Classic, recognizable look
Disadvantage: The narrow opening limits the aroma experience — subtle scents are released less effectively.
View our range of champagne flutes.
The champagne coupe
The coupe (200–280 ml) has a wide, shallow bowl. Popular in the 1920s and now firmly back in style. Especially for cocktail bars and fine dining restaurants with a playful, contemporary identity, the coupe is an excellent choice.
Advantages:
- Elegant, retro look that performs well on social media
- Wide opening allows aromas to release much better
- Versatile: also perfect for cocktails (Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini, Daiquiri)
Disadvantage: Champagne loses its bubbles faster and warms up more quickly.
View our range of coupe glasses.
When to choose what?
As a rule of thumb: choose the flute if champagne or prosecco is the focus — the preservation of bubbles is paramount then. Choose the coupe if you run a modern, cocktail-oriented bar or if visual presentation and versatility weigh heavier than the perfect sparkling experience.
Increasingly, sommeliers and wine bars are opting for a third choice: a small, tulip-shaped champagne glass (the so-called 'tulip' flute) that combines the benefits of both — some width for aroma, but still enough height for the bubbles.
Brands we recommend
For champagne glasses in the hospitality industry, we enjoy working with ONIS, Royal Leerdam, Luigi Bormioli, and RCR. From robust and stackable to refined crystal — the right glass for every concept.
👉 View all champagne flutes and coupe glasses
👉 Also read: The 10 most popular cocktails and the perfect glass
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