The Best Champagne Glasses for 2026: Tulips, Flutes and Luxury Crystal
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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The right glass changes how sparkling wine tastes. The classic narrow flute shows off rising bubbles, but sommeliers increasingly pour Champagne into tulip-shaped glasses that let its aromas bloom. The wide coupe looks glamorous, yet loses bubbles fast. Which you choose depends on whether you value aroma, ceremony or style, and the best glasses deliver all three.
For this guide we compared two independent tests. Serious Eats tested 14 Champagne glasses, measuring opening widths, temperature change and fizz retention, and consulted master sommelier Scott Carney. The Spruce Eats tested its own lineup with input from hospitality professionals, including the food and beverage director of the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. Both outlets landed on Riedel as a top choice. We haven’t tested these glasses ourselves.
Quick answer: for the best-tasting Champagne, buy a tulip glass such as the Riedel Performance Champagne Glass, Serious Eats’ top tulip; The Spruce Eats’ best overall is also a Riedel Champagne glass. For classic flutes, choose the Riedel VINUM; for a special-occasion luxury gift, the Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flute.
Our picks at a glance
| Glass | Shape | Capacity | Source | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riedel Performance Champagne Glass | Tulip | 13.2 oz | Serious Eats: best tulip | Aroma and balance |
| Riedel Champagne Glass | Tulip | 11.36 oz (9 in. tall) | The Spruce Eats: best overall | Versatile everyday luxury |
| Glasvin The Champagne Glass / The Sparkling | Tulip | 11.8 oz | Both outlets recommend | Thin rim, wide opening |
| Viski Raye Angled Crystal Prosecco | Tulip-flute hybrid | 8 oz | Serious Eats: affordable tulip | Style on a budget |
| Riedel VINUM Champagne | Flute | 5.7 oz | Serious Eats: best flute | Classic flute |
| Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flute | Flute | 5 oz | Serious Eats: best luxury | Celebrations, gifts |
| Schott Zwiesel Pure | Flute | 7.3 oz | The Spruce Eats: best crystal | Durable crystal for entertaining |
| Mark Thomas Double Bend | Tulip | 8 oz | The Spruce Eats: best design | Statement glassware |
Capacities from Serious Eats’ and The Spruce Eats’ specs.
Tulip vs. flute vs. coupe
Serious Eats set out to see whether tulips really taste different from flutes, and found they do. Its tulips had openings around 2.25 inches versus about 1.8 inches for flutes, and the tulip shape funneled aroma upward, while in narrow flutes the aroma was muted and sometimes almost indiscernible. Carney links the tulip’s rise to the small-grower Champagne movement.
Flutes still have merits: they’re elegant, iconic for toasts and, as Carney notes, extend the visual pleasure of rising bubbles. Serious Eats found flutes often kept a foamy head longer. Coupes, the traditional Champagne glass according to the Four Seasons’ Piero Procida, look festive, but Carney says bubbles dissipate quickly and you can’t swirl to appreciate the bouquet. Serious Eats treats them as cocktail glasses.
Our recommendation: if you own one set, make it tulips. Add flutes for toasts and parties, and coupes for cocktails and vintage glamour.
The best Champagne glasses
1. Riedel Performance Champagne Glass: best overall
Best for: anyone who wants Champagne to taste its best.
Serious Eats’ best tulip balances elegance with practicality. Its tapered tulip funnels aroma upward while the opening is wide enough to fit your nose inside, the thin stem still gives a secure grip, and the wide, roughly 3.5-inch base resists tipping. It holds 13.2 ounces and is dishwasher-safe. The drawback is price, nearly $100 for two at testing.
The Spruce Eats also named a Riedel Champagne glass, an 11.36-ounce, 9-inch tulip sold in sets of four, its best overall, noting that it showcases aromas and flavors whether you’re pouring bubbly, another wine or a spirit. Two independent tests pointing to Riedel tulips is a strong signal.
Pros
- Best aroma
- Stable wide base
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Pricey
2. Glasvin The Champagne Glass: best thin-rimmed tulip
Best for: sippers who love fine, delicate glassware.
Serious Eats liked its wide opening for full aroma and its thin, rounded rim for smooth sips; at 11.8 ounces, it’s dishwasher-safe on the bottom rack, face down. It felt a bit light, with a base that lacked heft when full. The Spruce Eats picked Glasvin’s similar 11.8-ounce Sparkling glass as its best everyday option.
Pros
- Thin, smooth rim
- Wide aromatic bowl
Cons
- Light base
3. Riedel VINUM Champagne Glass: best flute
Best for: traditionalists who want a classic flute that’s still good to drink from.
Serious Eats called these by far the best flutes it tested: balanced, sturdy and steady on the table, with an opening just wide enough to catch some of the wine’s complexity. Aroma is less intense than in a tulip, and they’re petite at 5.7 ounces with a short stem.
Pros
- Sturdy, balanced
- Elegant taper
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Muted aroma vs. tulips
- Small
4. Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flute: best luxury flute
Best for: engagements, anniversaries and memorable New Year’s Eves.
Serious Eats says these glasses scream special occasion. The flute flows seamlessly into a short stem, the wide base keeps it balanced, the opening is the perfect width for aroma without bumping your nose, and the long shape kept Champagne nicely chilled. The only complaint is price: about $40 per glass at testing. It holds 5 ounces.
Pros
- Heirloom elegance
- Well balanced
- Perfect gift
Cons
- About $40 per glass
5. Schott Zwiesel Pure Champagne Flutes: best crystal for entertaining
Best for: hosts who want elegance without breakage anxiety.
The Spruce Eats’ best crystal pick is made of Tritan crystal, holds 7.3 ounces, stands 9.9 inches tall, comes in sets of six and is dishwasher-safe. The Four Seasons’ Piero Procida recommends Schott Zwiesel flutes because they look elegant, cost less than standard luxury flutes, and you needn’t worry as much about breakage.
Pros
- Durable Tritan crystal
- Set of six
- Modern look
Cons
- Flute shape limits aroma
6. Mark Thomas Double Bend Champagne Glass: best design
Best for: wine lovers who want a statement glass.
The Spruce Eats’ design pick is a lightweight, lead-free crystal glass with a double-bend bowl that kept bubbles persistent and aromas present in testing. Natural-wine sommelier Doreen Winkler told the outlet she loves them for their light, thin, curved shape, calling them a splurge and saying everyone should own two fancy Champagne glasses. They’re sold in pairs.
Pros
- Stunning, featherlight crystal
- Excellent aroma
Cons
- Fragile
- Splurge price
7. Viski Raye Angled Crystal Prosecco Glasses: best affordable
Best for: stylish entertaining on a budget.
A cross between a flute and a tulip, the Raye has the tulip’s bulge and the flute’s length, giving visual flair, aeration and aroma, with a delicate lip, according to Serious Eats. The small base makes it top-heavy when filled. It holds 8 ounces.
Pros
- Stylish shape
- Good aroma
- Affordable
Cons
- Top-heavy
What to look for
- Shape: tulips for aroma; flutes for bubbles and ceremony; coupes for cocktails.
- Opening: Serious Eats wanted flutes close to 2 inches wide so your nose doesn’t get in the way.
- Balance: a wide base and sturdy stem matter more than you’d expect at a party.
- Rim: thin, laser-cut rims feel refined; overly sharp ones don’t.
- Material: crystal or Tritan crystal is clearer and more durable; lead-free crystal is standard now.
- Cleaning: many are dishwasher-safe, but check; The Spruce Eats lists the Villeroy & Boch coupe as hand-wash only.
Serving tips
- Don’t over-chill. Carney tells Serious Eats that Champagne is too often served too cold, which masks its bouquet. Serious Eats found glasses warmed the wine about 6.5 degrees on average, which wasn’t noticeable when sipping.
- Pour about 5 ounces, which The Spruce Eats notes gets you five glasses from a bottle, leaving at least an ounce of headroom.
- Hold the glass by the stem to keep your hand from warming the wine.
- Keep an open bottle fresh with a good Champagne stopper.
Complete your glassware
For still wines, see our best luxury wine glasses, plus the best wine decanters and best wine openers. Planning cocktails too? Start with the best cocktail shakers.
FAQ
What glass do sommeliers use for Champagne?
Increasingly a tulip or white wine glass, which shows off aroma better than a narrow flute.
Are coupes good for Champagne?
They look festive, but bubbles and aroma dissipate quickly; save them for cocktails.
Are stemless Champagne glasses OK?
For casual use, yes. Serious Eats liked Riedel’s O stemless glass, but your hand will warm the wine faster.
Can Champagne glasses go in the dishwasher?
Many Riedel, Glasvin and Schott Zwiesel models can; always check the maker’s guidance.
The bottom line
Buy Riedel Performance tulips for Champagne that tastes as good as it looks. Choose Riedel VINUM or Schott Zwiesel Pure flutes for toasts and parties, and Waterford or Mark Thomas when the occasion, or the gift, calls for something truly special.
