Champagne Flutes

Champagne flutes are tall, narrow stemmed glasses made for sparkling wine, and that shape is their purpose. A slim bowl keeps the surface area small, so the wine loses carbonation more slowly and the bubbles form a long, steady stream from base to rim. The narrow opening also funnels the toasty, citrus and green-apple aromas typical of Champagne, cava, prosecco and other traditional-method or tank-method sparkling wines toward the nose. Flutes like these are a good fit for lighter, crisp styles where the stream of bubbles is part of the appeal. The listing doesn't give a material, capacity or set size, so check the product options for those before you buy. Chill the bottle to roughly 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F) before pouring, because a warmer wine foams over and a colder one mutes its aroma. Tilt the glass and pour slowly down the side, then let the foam settle and top it up. Sparkling wine doesn't need decanting, since that would release the bubbles. Hold the glass by the stem so your hand doesn't warm the bowl. For washing, rinse by hand with warm water and little or no detergent. Residue or lint can suppress the bubbles. Dry the glass upright and polish it with a lint-free cloth. Because the glass is tall and thin, store it upright with room around it, rather than stacked or packed tightly. At the table, flutes suit sparkling wine with salty, fried or creamy foods such as oysters, tempura, soft cheeses and potato chips. They also work for mimosas, Bellinis and other sparkling cocktails that call for a tall glass.