Champagne shocker: The glass matters

By: Chris Mercer - 10 February 2012 17:07

Do you drink Champagne out of: a) a flute; b) a shallow 'coupe'; or c) the bottle?

If you answered a), you are doing it right, according to researchers salaried to examine such things at Reims University in the heart of France's Champagne country.

Amazingly, it has been revealed that Champagne goes flat less quickly in a flute than a wide-topped coupe. Hard-hitting science, huh? Well, scoff as we may, there is some method to the madness.

This study adds to evidence that Champagne's flavour is more intense in a flute. Some studies have shown that the bubbles may be key to carrying flavours through the drink.

Obviously, the only way to assess this properly is to sample a lot of Champagne, preferably vintage. Speaking of which, isn't it Friday?