Last weekend in a hotel room in downtown Washington DC, we were toasting to Andrea's birthday -- a friend, colleague and dedicated, hard worker. Her favorite drink of choice: champagne. The hotel did not have any champagne glasses; instead they brought wine glasses to the room. We made toasts and sipped from the glasses frequently pouring the bubbly contents from the thick green bottles again, and again, and again. I dare say… these wine glasses were much easier to drink from.
Flutes are awkward. When you raise a flute to sip, you need to turn your head away so as not to hit the face of another person. And although I love the look, ease and versatility of the coupe.... well, after drinking a few glasses of the bubbly libation, the mouth of the glass seems to somehow widen -- the contents sloshing about and spilling on the floor.
Flutes are awkward. When you raise a flute to sip, you need to turn your head away so as not to hit the face of another person. And although I love the look, ease and versatility of the coupe.... well, after drinking a few glasses of the bubbly libation, the mouth of the glass seems to somehow widen -- the contents sloshing about and spilling on the floor.
Little did I know (little do I really know as I prefer to sip my red wine from a small juice glass after all) that wine glasses are a perfect receptacle from which to drink champagne.Stacy Downs has written yet another fantastic article in today's Kansas City Star on the subject of champagne glasses. read HERE
Though I probably will not be sipping champagne for this Valentines Day, (more likely a hearty pint of Guinness), I have always loved the ringing sound a crystal glass resonates when lightly touched with another. In the late 17th century, when lead was added to glass it not only increased brightness, clarity and the light-reflecting quality, but it also gave that ring sound. The tradition of clicking glasses after a toast developed during this time in England -- it was believed the bell-like ring sound had the power to send the devil away.
However, the problem is after one too many glasses of champagne -- regardless of the type of glass -- I tend to want to do exactly as the image above illustrates the following morning to the empty bottle of champagne ...
(images from Casablanca (1942), Notorious (1946), and Casino Royale (1967); to read more about the types of champagne glasses click: HERE)
6 comments:
Soodie, I can relate, as I am really a lightweight. I love champagne, and most other libations, after a couple of glasses though, I must stop or I will wake up feeling exactly this way!
In my first year as a wife, I celebrated new year's with my husband and his employer, an attorney with a stellar reputation among those less, well stellar. With way too many coupe glasses of champagne than I would ever remember, young husband said I was pouring my glass down the velvet jacket of employer's wife's best friend. He was correct. Rather looked liked rain trickling down a down spout. Ever since, I have preferred flutes. Something taller to hold onto. Like my husband!
I have a horrible affliction. Champagne, regardless the amount, does not give me a hangover. It is a dangerous notion.
Karena, wise that you can stop. sometimes it is very difficult, especially when it is a long night and others tend to pour freely...
Home, funny! those coupe or saucer glasses don't seem to be balanced very well after your second or third glass. they teeter-totter more easily when standing in a crowd. good thing you like the flute glass, much better in proportion with your husband.
oh..... Mrs. B, dangerous, perhaps, but lucky? big time!
I was just told about the champagne flutes article in sundays kansas city star -- so i googled it and read that the tiny champagne bubbles speed up the absorbtion of alcohol in the body -- i never knew that. I also enjoyed reading your quotes in that article.
You should take a vote from your bloggers on what is their favorite container for champagne. I really am not fond of flutes--the opening is just too small.
Yay for being quoted in the Star! Martini glasses drive me crazy because like the coupe, they're mostly a vehicle for dribbling on your host's carpet. I've never owned any of either.
I like my all-purpose C&B wine glasses, and juice glasses work just fine for me too.
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