Delicate and sparkly—just like your favorite bubbly, nothing quite matches the elegance of crystal champagne glasses. But with countless options out there, finding the ideal champagne glass set can be overwhelming. The most important things to consider are the holding capacity and shape of the champagne glass you need.
Our favorite crystal champagne glasses are the Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flutes because they are simple yet striking. These glasses are great if you’re looking for elegant toasting flutes.
However, not everyone can benefit from a pair of small toasting flutes. In this post, we’ve rounded up some of the best crystal champagne glasses in the market in different price ranges to fit your budget. We’ll also delve into their features to help you find which ones best suit your needs.
Our Top Picks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Best Overall  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best All-Purpos  |
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Best Modern  |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flutes
Crafted from the finest lead-free crystal, the Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flutes boast a delicate bowl, striking V plunge, crisp rim, pulled stem, and beautifully clean profile.
Here’s the catch, though: the glasses are small.
They offer 5.7 ounces of capacity, which may not be enough if you prefer to enjoy a larger glass of wine. But, what can you expect with such dainty, narrow flutes? These crystal champagne glasses are perfect for toasting.
Our favorite feature of the glasses is the pointed area at the bottom. It allows bubbles to develop slowly, highlighting the effervescence of any vintage wines.
However, cleaning the glasses can be a hassle because they aren’t dishwasher safe and should be hand washed with a soft cloth. Another option is a straw brush or pipe cleaner, but be careful as these tools could scratch the delicate glasses.
Also, this set comes with a premium price tag. Who wants to spend $90 on a pair of delicate crystal glasses? No? Not you?
Well, you might want to give it a second thought. But one of the comments we’ve read about the Waterford trumpet flutes is true: it’s classic, timeless, and just stunning. Overall, we love this pair!
Pros:
- Elegant and timeless design
- Preserves champagne bubbles and aromas
Cons:
- Hard to clean
- Expensive
Best All-Purpose: Gabriel-Glas “StandArt” Edition Wine Glasses
The Gabriel-Glas “StandArt” Edition Wine Glasses have the most interesting shape on our list, but it’s also a versatile pair. The conical shape of this universal wine glass is suitable for various types of wine, including white, red, sparkling, and dessert wines. It also resembles a classic tulip shape.
These glasses feature a wide rim with a wider base bowl to give you more surface area. The rims are also thin and work great at concentrating and keeping the wine’s aromas. At 8 ounces capacity, we think they are the right size to accommodate a range of drinks.
But, one thing we really appreciate about these glasses is that, while they are crystal and thin, they can stand 1,000 dishwashing cycles without losing their clarity. Just make sure to polish the glasses while they are still moist and steamy.
However, there are still reports from users that the glasses are too fragile to be tossed in the dishwasher. Plus, their stems are quite thin. We even think they aren’t very proportional to the bowls because they are just way too thin. If this is a deal breaker for you, then you’re better off looking at other Champagne glass options.
Pros:
- Versatile; suitable for a range of drinks
- Offers ample capacity
- Unique, conical shape
Cons:
- Too thin; consider hand washing
Best Modern: Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Champagne Flutes
The Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Champagne Flutes are some of the simplest yet prettiest crystal glasses we’ve looked at. They are tall, sleek, and slender. Featuring a well-balanced bowl-to-stem ratio and sharp, crisp lines, we can’t help but be fascinated by their stunning profile, especially when poured with bubbly.
These glasses are made from Schott Zwiesel’s patented Tritan crystal, offering outstanding clarity to let the bubbles shine. This makes these flutes an elegant and modern option for our fellow champagne lovers. Each glass also offers 7 ounces capacity, which is sufficient enough for most sippers.
One of our favorite features of these glasses is the laser needles etched into the glass, which creates a continuous stream of bubbles when you pour champagne. But it comes without a con. Because it creates continuous bubbles, it causes the champagne to lose its effervescence faster, resulting in a flatter flavor.
On a positive note, these crystal flutes are dishwasher-safe. But avoid tucking them into rack prongs. Also, don’t twist the stem and bowl while holding one or another tightly. This can break or scratch the crystal.
Pros:
- Sleek, elegant, and modern
- Well-balanced design
- Creates a continuous stream of bubbles for visual display
- Ideal capacity
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Champagne’s effervescence escapes quickly
Best Stemless: ELIXIR GLASSWARE Stemless Champagne Flutes
Looking for a stemless option? You may want to include the ELIXIR GLASSWARE Stemless Champagne Flutes in your glassware collection. These stemless glasses are plain but elegant and come with an ample capacity of 8 ounces.
This set of 6 crystal glasses has a polished, wide rim to enhance the tasting experience. The stemless glass set also has a thicker bottom, which lends a weighted feel, though it can make them feel bulky to hold.
That said, the main downside is that they can’t keep your drink cold for longer. This is because holding them will transfer some of the heat from your hand to the glass, which can warm up your wine. Plus, they can retain fingerprints.
Other than that, we still recommend these stemless champagne glasses since they are inexpensive. Plus, they make a wonderful option for everyday use and are dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Durable
- Good everyday glassware
- Inexpensive
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Warms up drinks quickly
- Retains fingerprints
Best Coupe: Riedel Veritas Champagne Glasses
If you like the vintage feel of Champagne saucers, the Riedel Veritas Champagne Coupe Glasses offer a pair that provides a delightful champagne-tasting experience. These champagne coupes are deemed to be the ideal wine glass for true Champagne toasts, especially for serving expensive Champagnes.
The classic shape boasts a unique style. This sets it apart from other glasses that are widely used today. With a capacity of 8.5 ounces, these coupe glasses will give you ample surface area. The wide opening of such glasses allows you to appreciate the nuances of the wine.
That said, these coupe glasses are lightweight. The crystal construction is also very thin. So, while Riedel claims that it’s dishwasher-safe, we think it is safer to just wash them by hand since they have wider bowls, anyway so it should be easier than narrow flutes.
Pros:
- Classic and unique shape
- Offers ample surface area
- Lightweight
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Too Thin and fragile
Best Large Capacity: Marquis by Waterford Markham Flute Set
If you’re looking for a beautiful set of oversized champagne glasses, you may want to check out the Marquis by Waterford Markham Flute Set. These flutes boast a classic wedge-cut design that exudes elegance. But what makes them truly unique is the transition between the stem and the bowl.
We love the sculpted stems which lend its charm, while the diamond-inspired design on the glassware adds visual interest. These glasses are on the thicker side, though. Some users even noted that they are so thick that they don’t look like they’re made out of crystal.
That said, we still love the overall design and detailed craftsmanship of this champagne flute set. To retain the beauty of the crystal glasses, hand wash them with a soft cloth. However, you might find it hard to clean their surfaces since there are nooks from the diamond patterns.
Pros:
- Thick and durable construction
- Has a nice heft
- Classic and elegant design
- Offers ample capacity
Cons:
- Too thick and bulky
- Hard to clean; not dishwasher safe
Things To Consider in Choosing the Best Crystal Champagne Glasses
The best champagne glasses can be expensive. Make sure you are getting the right set or pair of crystal champagne glasses that meet your needs and budget. Below are a few factors that you need to consider before investing in crystal champagne glasses.
Capacity
The holding capacity of champagne glasses typically ranges from 5 to 9 ounces. Consider your preferred serving size.
For example, you may opt for 5 to 6-ounce champagne flutes if you enjoy drinking champagne in smaller quantities. These ranges are ideal for toasting. But, if you prefer more generous servings, opt for glasses with a higher capacity, typically around 8 to 9 ounces.
Shape
The aromatics of champagne are what make the overall drinking experience. Besides the texture and taste, the aromas will give you a sense of the complexities of the Champagne’s flavor. And yes, the champagne glass shape can impact how well they develop and intensify as you drink champagne from the glass.
You get a whiff of the Champagne whenever you sip from your sparkling wine glass. You have different options: coupe, flute, and tulip.
Champagne coupe glasses (or Champagne saucers) have wider rims and bowls and are the classic way to serve Champagnes and sparkling wines. They are shallow and allow you to appreciate the nuances of your drink, however, the wideness of the bowl will make the effervescence and aroma escape quickly.
Flutes and tulip glasses are two of the most commonly used vessels for serving champagne. These two have both narrower mouths/rims, but tulip shape has a distinct curvature in the center that resembles a blooming tulip, thus the name. Flutes are taller and more slender. But both are great at retaining bubbles and aromas.
Ease of Cleaning
Crystal champagne glasses are delicate. To maintain their brilliance and clarity, you need to clean them carefully. This also means following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Many crystal champagne glasses are dishwasher-safe. However, in general, it’s always best to wash crystal glasses by hand, despite being marketed as dishwasher safe. Yes, running your glassware in your machine is convenient, but it could damage or ruin them in the long run.
Price
Crystal champagne glasses are more expensive than those made with regular glass. But the cost of a pair or set still depends on the brand. For higher-end brands, you may expect to pay around $150 and up. However, you can still find less expensive options that are both elegant and affordable.
Set a budget and explore options that fall within your price range. Most importantly, consider the long-term value and satisfaction that having a pair of fine crystal champagne glasses will provide you.
FAQs
What’s the Best Glass for Champagne?
The best champagne glass to use is a flute. These glasses are specifically designed to enhance the drinking experience by allowing the bubbles and aromatics to develop while maintaining them in the glass—all thanks to their narrow bowl.
The way the flutes are designed also helps showcase the champagne’s color and rising bubbles. It offers a stunning visual display. And these are a few of the reasons why they are preferred by sparkling wine enthusiasts.
What Is the Best Champagne Shape?
The shape of tulip and flute champagne glasses are deemed to be the best champagne glasses for sipping wine.
Tulip-shaped glasses have a wider mouth or rim than flutes but are better at allowing more bubbles and aromas to settle more evenly on the palate. These glasses are best used for enjoying more complex and mature champagnes or vintage sparkling wines.
Flutes, on the other hand, are tall and slender with a narrow bowl that tapers towards the rim. Their shape helps preserve the champagne’s aroma and effervescence. It keeps carbonation stay as is for a longer period of time.
What Is the Original Champagne Glass Called?
Champagne coupe glasses, also known as champagne saucers, are the OG champagne glasses. The glassware was popularized in the early 1800s in England. A classic vessel, Champagne coupe glass is one of the oldest types of Champagne glasses.
Why Are Crystal Champagne Glasses Expensive?
Compared to glass and acrylic champagne glasses, crystal champagne glasses are expensive because they have exceptional clarity and brilliance. Crafting such glasses also entails labor-intensive craftsmanship. They are thin and easier to mold than standard glasses, so artisans are trained to cut, etch, and polish each glass.
Standard glass is often made of sand, soda ash, and limestone. It tends to be thicker and more durable than crystal glass. But, it can’t be molded in the same way as crystals.
Another thing that makes crystal champagne glasses more expensive is that they can also refract light. This makes them more appealing for elaborate table settings. It’s also a fact that sparkling wines look better in them.
Are Crystal Glasses Valuable?
It depends on who you ask. For many champagne lovers, crystal glasses are the best vessels to the serve bubbly beverage. This is due to their high clarity and the level of craftsmanship in creating them.
Do they hold monetary value?
They could. High-end crystal champagne glasses are prized for the intricacies of their cuts and stems. You can also find older and elaborately adorned crystal champagne glasses at a higher price range, depending on their condition. So yes, they can be a great investment if you take care of them.
Conclusion
A curated collection of exquisite crystal glasses embodies the elegance of this champagne and sparkling wine.
No matter the shape, crystal champagne glasses stand as the perfect companions. These glasses allow the most discerning aficionados to fully savor the effervescence and intricate flavors of our favorite beverage.
We’ve selected the products above based on price, design, and overall value. But if you’re looking for a dainty and lovely pair, the Waterford Elegance Trumpet Flutes may be a wonderful choice. This narrow flute set has a small capacity. But, the elegant glass set is are ideal for toasting and small sips.
For a more versatile option, the Gabriel-Glas “StandArt” Edition Wine Glasses may be just what you need. We love its conical shape and it works with all things sparkling wine.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our recommendations, and we’d be thrilled to hear how much you love celebrating with them. Cheers, and good luck!
