Known for its wide, round bowl and tapered lip, the Coupe Glass is an essential drinking glass to have in your home bar. While it was more popular in the 1920s as the champagne glass of choice, the Coupe remains the best glass for sparkling wine. With its elegant silhouette, it’s also a lovely cocktail glass, making it even more versatile.
Coupe Glasses are usually made out of borosilicate glass, which is the most common material used to make most types of drinking glasses and food storage containers. This is due to its boron trioxide content, which makes borosilicate thermal shock-resistant. Sure, borosilicate glass is a sturdy and affordable material for glassware, but it might not be the best glass for a champagne toast.
Our Coupe is made from high-quality crystal glass and boasts a titanium-reinforced stem, which makes it dishwasher safe. The crystal glass gives our Coupe Glass the iridescent gleam that brings a sophisticated sparkle to your table setting. And what can replace the echoing clink of two crystal Coupe Glasses meeting in celebration? Definitely not the low-sounding clunk of borosilicate glass.
History of the Coupe Glass
Despite its French-sounding name, the Coupe Glass actually originated in Britain. When sparkling wine was discovered in the seventeenth century the French, who have been producing wine for centuries, believed the bubbly wine was a failure.. Britain however, began intentionally producing sparkling wine with extra sugar added during the fermentation process. With the development of champagne came that signature round, yet tapered Coupe glass.
Why Is it Shaped Like That?Legend has it that this romantic and voluptuous glass was inspired by the breast of Marie Antoinette or even Helen of Troy, however, there’s no historical evidence to suggest this. The shape of the Coupe Glass actually derived from the beer and ale vessels used in Britain. The use of heavier, sturdier glass in the seventeenth century forced glassblowers to widen the bowl of the goblet while shortening the handle. The flattened, round cup with its short, thick stem led to the design of the Coupe Glass as we know it today.
What Are Coupes Used For?
Because its retro shape opens up the aromas of sparkling wines, the Coupe Glass is ideal for champagne and cocktails. The physics of its unique shape are quite simple—the wide mouth of the bowl allows you to take in the scents and flavors you’d otherwise miss in a champagne flute. Like the goblets they were modeled after, Champagne Coupes hit more of your tongue with the champagne, which means you get to enjoy more bubbles.
The one concern you might have with the Coupe’s wide bowl is that the bubbles and aromas will dissipate quicker. Luckily, our Coupe Glass has a more tapered lip that traps both inside. Plus, our Coupe is made with crystal glass, which adds that celebratory chime to your perfect champagne toast. After all, champagne isn’t only about the smell or taste, but also the sound and appearance of the glass.
Best Cocktails for Coupe GlassesYes, champagne is reserved for special occasions, but Coupes are such versatile drinking glasses that they’re a perfect stemware addition to your home bar. With their wide mouths and sturdy stems, Coupes are the perfect vessel for classic cocktails like this Royal Daiquiri, or craft cocktails with a garnish like this grilled watermelon margarita.
Ready to Shop?
Now that you know about the Coupe, say goodbye to champagne flutes. You’re probably only getting half of the flavor and scents of your wine in that thin, narrow glass when you should be breathing in your sparkling wine. With their wide bowls and short stems, Coupe Glasses are the perfect party glass to have around for any occasion. They’re a great addition to any home bar, whether for cocktails or your next celebratory toast. Plus thanks to their titanium-reinforced stems, they’re also dishwasher safe, so clean-up is simple. Pick up a set of four or for the height of luxury, a whole tower.
