Wine glass best for Champagne, says Pernod

Pernod Ricard’s Federico Lleonart has caused quite the ‘coupe’, arguing that a simple white wine glass is superior to the classic Champagne serving options.

Debate has always raged between the merits of the flute and the coupe, but now the white wine glass is being touted as the best choice (Photo: db)

While the topic of Champagne glassware has been causing division among connoisseurs for years, the most common fault-line lies between serving in a flute or a coupe.

Champagne commentator Richard Juhlin released a series of glasses two years ago which featured a fatter design of Champagne flute that he argued to be superior, while the classic coupe still attracts on the style front, with the glass modelled on Kate Moss’s breast (à la Anne Boleyn) causing a storm of publicity recently.

But now, one industry figure has said that, for the best Champagnes, the simple white wine glass is a cut above the rest.

Federico Lleonart, a global wine ambassador for Pernod Ricard, told The Telegraph, “When the sparkling wine or Champagne has complexity, depth and autolytic notes, such as the best Cavas or Champagnes, then the best option is actually to use a white wine glass in order to let the aromas express themselves better.”

He also advised that a simple sparkling wine should still be served in a flute, because it keeps the drink colder for longer and makes the bubbles look more attractive.

Mr Lleonart continued, “Both the flute and the saucer help the aromas diffuse in different ways: the flute concentrates carbon dioxide at the top of the glass, whereas the saucer’s wide mouth means the bubbles evaporate more quickly.”