Most of us grew up thinking Champagne belongs in a flute, or if you want to feel extra vintage, a coupe. Every wedding, bar, and event serves sparkling wine this way, so it must be right, right?

Wrong.

If you actually care about aroma, flavour, and drinking experience, neither of these is the best choice. In fact, the best glass for Champagne, Prosecco, and any sparkling wine isn’t a Champagne glass at all – it’s a good-quality universal wine glass.

I get it. Pouring a small measure of Champagne into a standard wine glass looks a bit tragic, like you’re rationing yourself. It can feel counterintuitive when you’ve spent years seeing tall, elegant flutes as the gold standard for bubbles. But once you try Champagne in a proper wine glass, you’ll never go back.

Flute vs Coupe vs Wine Glass – What’s the Difference?

Flutes have been the go-to for decades. They look elegant, keep the bubbles alive longer, and make every sip feel celebratory. The problem is that they trap all the aromas, so you barely get any complexity in the wine. If you enjoy drinking through a straw of glass, a flute is great. If you want to actually taste your Champagne, it’s time to move on.

Coupes, on the other hand, are a pure aesthetic choice. The wide, shallow shape does absolutely nothing for bubbles or aroma. They were originally designed for cocktails, not wine, and if you’ve ever tried carrying one across a crowded room, you’ll know they spill the second you move.

A good wine glass, preferably with a medium-sized bowl and a tapered rim, gives you the best of everything. It allows aromas to develop, gives room for swirling, preserves bubbles surprisingly well, and just makes the whole experience better.

Why Aroma Matters More Than Bubbles

Most people assume Champagne flutes are necessary because they keep the fizz going for longer. But what’s the point of preserving bubbles if you can’t actually smell or taste the wine properly?

Aromas are a huge part of what makes sparkling wine complex. A good bottle of Champagne has layers of citrus, brioche, nuts, orchard fruits, and minerality, but if it’s trapped in a flute, you’re only getting a fraction of that experience.

The more space the wine has to open up, the more depth of flavour you get. This is why professional tasters and winemakers rarely drink Champagne from a flute. If you’ve ever noticed how a glass of Champagne tastes better after sitting for a while, that’s because it’s finally had a chance to breathe.

Prosecco Deserves Better Too

Some people assume that since Prosecco is lighter and fruitier than Champagne, a flute makes sense. But even with Prosecco, a proper wine glass makes a difference.

A universal wine glass balances acidity and fruitiness, enhancing the pear, apple, and floral notes in good Prosecco. If you’re drinking a decent bottle of Brut or Cartizze, you’ll immediately taste the difference. Cheap Prosecco? Fine, maybe stick to the flute – it’s not going to get any better. But if you’ve spent a bit more, do it justice.

The Best Glass for Champagne and Prosecco

If you want the best drinking experience, here’s what to use

  • A universal wine glass – medium to large bowl, tapered rim
  • A white wine glass – if you don’t have a universal one, a classic Chardonnay glass works great
  • Avoid anything too wide (coupes) or too narrow (flutes)

There are now specific Champagne wine glasses, which are essentially slightly slimmer white wine glasses designed to balance bubbles and aroma, but a good universal wine glass does the job perfectly.

Why This Matters

Most people are used to the look and feel of a flute, and pouring sparkling wine into a larger glass can seem odd at first. It looks like a smaller serving, even though it’s exactly the same amount of wine. But once you get past the visual difference, the improvement in flavour, aroma, and overall experience is huge.

A wine glass gives Champagne and Prosecco the space it needs to show its best qualities. It doesn’t just make the wine taste better – it makes drinking it more enjoyable.

The Bottom Line

The next time someone hands you a flute, do them a favour – pour it into a wine glass and watch their reaction. It might look strange at first, but the moment they take a sip, they’ll get it.

If you’ve spent good money on a bottle of Champagne or quality Prosecco, why limit its potential? The right glass makes all the difference. Once you try it, you’ll never go back.