Champagne is not just a kind of wine. It is that symbolic drink that instantly adds a touch of class and festive mood, which makes a celebration really special. Who doesn’t experience joy upon hearing the sound of a Champagne cork popping on their birthday, anniversary, or on New Year's Eve?
Champagne is an esteemed sparkling wine from the Champagne region in northeastern France. Only sparkling wine produced in this area can legally be called Champagne, and it is protected by AOC regulations (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée).
Champagne is mainly made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Unlike most other sparkling wines, which have one fermentation, Champagne must go through a second fermentation. It also must be aged for at least 15 months before it’s ready to enjoy.
If you are indulging in this special drink, it makes sense to serve it in stylish glasses. Hand-blown Italian Champagne glasses fit the bill perfectly. They will elevate the experience beyond just a toast, turning it into long-lasting memories.
In the 5th century, the Romans planted vineyards in the Champagne region, but the wine produced by them was regular, not sparkling, and had a light red color. By the Middle Ages, the Church was the main producer of wine in the area. In particular, it supplied wine for the coronations of the French kings.
Champagne was, as so many things, a result of a mistake, which occurred in the 17th century. Because winters were cold, fermentation abruptly stopped, and when it spontaneously restarted, bubbles were created inside the bottles. Initially, it wasn't favored by the French, and the famous monk, Dom Perignon, after whom a particular Champagne was named, tried to get rid of the bubbles.
A problem with the Champagne of this time was that the bottles used weren't strong enough to withstand the pressure of the bubbles. It was the English, who liked sparkling wine, that invented stronger glass bottles that could safely hold this new, interesting wine.
By the 18th century, Champagne became popular in France, mainly among the nobility, and in the 19th century, many of today's famous Champagne Houses were opened, such as Moet & Chandon, Bollinger, Krug, and Veuve Clicquot.
Since the 1950’s, sales of Champagne have soared, and over 200 million bottles are produced each year on 86,500 acres (35,000 hectares) of land. This wine region of France has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The shape of the Champagne glass has changed over the years. The first glass to become popular was the coupe, a shallow, wide-bowled glass. It was created in Greenwich, England, by Venetian glassmakers in 1663. It became very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries in France. In the late 19th century, the flute, a tall, thin, narrow glass, gained favor and became dominant in the 1950s.
The modern trend is for the tulip champagne glass, which is wider at the bottom and tapers to become very narrow at the rim.
The coupe glass, favored in the 18th and 19th centuries, dissipates bubbles quickly. At that time, a sweeter Champagne than now was produced, and the French preferred it with fewer bubbles.
Eventually, when a drier Champagne was made, people wanted to enjoy the bubbles,s and the flute was created. With a smaller surface area, oxidation was reduce,d and the Champagne was kept colder for longer. Sometimes, you will find a tiny scratch at the bottom of a flute glass, particularly if it is hand-made. This helps to keep the bubbles for longer.
However, a problem with the flute is that its shape doesn't allow the aromas to develop. As 70% of the flavor comes from the aroma, this lessens the impact of the Champagne. Because of this, the tulip glass has now become popular. This shape stops the bubbles from escaping too quickly, while still allowing you to experience the flavor.
There are some experts who believe that an ordinary wine glass should be used to enjoy Champagne to its full potential. They think that the Champagne can breathe and the aromas can be enjoyed. It is up to you to experiment with different glasses to discover your favorite experience.
Handblown and machine-made glasses are completely different. As you may have guessed, the handblown Italian Champagne glasses are superior in quality to every machine-made alternative, and even to handmade ones from other countries. The millennia-long Italian glassmaking tradition is the big reason for this. Of course, the Italian Champagne flutes and goblets are more expensive, but you get what you pay for, and why not splurge for such a special drink?
Each handcrafted Champagne glass is blown individually, making it a unique, high-quality piece. There may be slight differences between glasses of the same design, indicating that they were created one at a time by artisans who have perfected their craft over many years. A handmade glass is also elegant and thin, making it look and feel special.
Machine-made glasses, on the other hand, are produced in large quantities using automated technology. This means they are thicker, less stylish, and don’t make the same delicate sound upon clinking. They feel like they are made for everyday use, and you can’t help but notice that they don’t correspond to the high price tag and exclusivity of the high-end Champagne you are pouring in them.
Handcrafted Champagne glasses made by the Italian artisans in Murano, Italy, are blown using ancient glassmaking traditions passed down through generations. They often have intricate designs and vibrant colors, making them stand out. Machine-made glasses pale in comparison.
Another difference is in the rim. Hand-blown glasses have rims that are fire-polished and hand-cut, so they have a thin, delicate edge that you can barely feel. Machine-made glasses are often laser-cut, so they have thick rims, which take away from the feeling of holding something very special and delicate in your hand.
However, be careful with the more fragile hand-blown glasses and don't put them in the dishwasher or expose them to very hot water or harsh cleaning agents. Machine-made glasses are generally stronger and can go in the dishwasher. Still, hand washing is a small price to pay for beautifully crafted Champagne glasses.
Italians appreciate good food and wine and consider meals and drinks to be an important part of their daily life. They enjoy fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and daily, though moderate, alcohol consumption. Meals, especially dinners on weekends or holidays, are long, drawn-out affairs to be enjoyed with family and friends. They favor home-cooked meals, leaving restaurant dining for celebrations. Depending on the region, Italians prefer varied cuisine. For example, the food traditions of Venice and other seaside regions of Italy call for a lot of seafood, which is a perfect accompaniment for sparkling wines, including Champagne.
Although the Italians have their own sparkling wines, such as Prosecco and Asti Spumante, those are typically drunk as aperitivos with light appetizers before the dinner starts in earnest. Italians have a time and place for Champagne, pouring it for special occasions or important gatherings. Italians consider high-quality French Champagne as a mark of prestige and the best wine to enjoy when they want to elevate the experience.
Genuine Italian Champagne Glasses, notably those made on the island of Murano, the hub of hand-blown glassware, are of the highest quality. Each Champagne glass is handmade and is unique. Skilled artisans make them, relying on many years of on-the-job training.
These special flutes and coupes often have intricate designs, created using ancient techniques, sometimes with modern innovations. Many Murano Champagne glasses are vibrantly colored, have hand-painted designs, or feature 24-carat gold or silver decorations. They spell luxury and artistry beyond what’s available in regular stores. Moreover, handmade Murano Glass champagne flutes are collectable pieces that make any curio or dining room cabinet look beautiful and chic. They are not made to be hidden in a cupboard.
Murano Champagne glasses may have slight imperfections like small bubbles trapped inside. Those are not defects but valuable signs that they are handmade. Their vibrant colors don’t fade, and although they are delicate, they are durable because they have been annealed slowly.
Champagne is a special, luxurious drink, but it can be made all the more memorable by the glasses it is served in. They can elevate a dining or celebratory event to the highest level, one that you will never forget.
There are many events that you can celebrate with Champagne, such as birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, baby showers, New Year's Eve, and weddings. Raise a glass when you get a new job or receive a promotion. Surprise your partner with a bottle on Valentine's Day or even have a glass of Champagne as a sophisticated aperitif. Remember to have your camera on hand to seal the memories. Whether you enjoy it on a small or big occasion, Champagne is a prestigious wine, so make sure you serve it in glasses that rise to the occasion. You can always rely on handmade Italian Champagne glasses to add luxury, elegance, and that special sparkle of art and beauty to your celebration.
