Champagne flutes are a wonderful gift for almost any occasion, and since most occasions call for a little bubbly, they are quite a suitable gift. Knowing what to look for when purchasing them is easy, once you understand how and why they are used. Here are a few things you should know about them before you purchase them.
Believe it or not, the shape, size, and materials used to make your champagne flute can make the difference between a pleasant champagne experience or a bad one. There is a reason that these glasses are shaped the way they are, and shape is one of the most important aspects in deciding which glass to purchase. The taller and more narrow the glass is, the better it is for serving champagne. Finding a glass that has a larger bottom and then narrows at the top is best for containment of the natural aromas found in aged wines. You will also want to be sure that it has a long stem, which will keep the temperature of your hands from warming your champagne.
Glass or crystal champagne flutes are probably the most common and most appropriate type of material used to make these glasses. Crystal allows for the true color of the wine or champagne to be viewed from the glass. It also allows you to see just how bubbly your champagne truly is. The more bubbly the better quality champagne you are drinking. Other materials like silver and pewter are beautiful to look at, but should be avoided if you plan to use them to drink from. They will take away from the total experience of drinking wine or champagne, and are not recommended.
Another choice for large parties where there are a lot of people, and purchasing a hundred glass or crystal flutes is not an option, is the purchase of several plastic champagne flutes. You can find plastic wine glasses in many different shapes and sizes. Plastic will provide your guests with the same visual experience as glass or crystal, but they are a lot less expensive, and can be recycled when the party is over.
Champagne flutes come in a variety of shapes. The most common shape is the tulip shape, which is tall and slender, just as the flower. There are also some unique shapes such as the tall cylindrical shaped glass with the flat base. This glass has a contemporary look and feel, with a touch of elegance. There is also the tapered V-shaped flute, that is also contemporary, but at the same time has a classical appearance. Then there is the Verve flute, which has thick base or stem, and tapers only slightly creating the look of a beer glass. These are only a few of the many choices available.
You can find these styles and many others in stores such as Crate and Barrel, or Pier One Imports, but you can also save yourself some time and money by shopping online. There are many online stores that carry a large inventory of wine glasses and flutes. You will have access to pictures, descriptions, and prices all at your fingertips. Most of the online stores have user friendly sites, complete with shopping carts, which makes your shopping even easier. Even more beautiful, is the fact that you can have them shipped directly to your home, or have them gift-wrapped and shipped for you.
Purchasing glass or crystal flutes is not quite as difficult as it may seem. You just need to know how and why we use them so that you can make an informed choice. If you are purchasing as a gift, you may even be able to find a company that will engrave them for you too. A champagne flute makes a wonderful gift, one that can be cherished for a lifetime.
