Champagne Flute or tulip shaped glass is a stemware used for serving sparkling wines, beers and champagnes. This is a narrow bowl fitted with tall and slender stem. At times, the bowl of the flute may look like a narrow wine glass which is also shaped like it. The stem of the flute will allow the drinker to sip the wine pure without any alteration in temperature. The alcohols change their taste when they come in contact with the body temperature. The bowl of the champagne flute is designed so as to trap the carbonation in full. The drink gets its desirable taste from this carbonation. The sparkling nature of the champagne is due to nucleation, and too much nucleation will cause the carbonation to vanish from the surface. The rate of nucleation is much slower in flute. The flute has smaller diameter than wine glass and it makes it easier to accommodate several of them in a medium sized tray itself.
Flutes are also used for serving the fruit and yeast fermented beers like gueuze and Belgian lambic. These beers resemble sparkling white wine due to their tart flavor and carbonation. Nowadays, flutes made up of plastic are slowly gaining popularity but still glass built flutes are considered classic.
Champagne Flute Set: Purpose of Different Flutes
Following the global drink standards, champagne tastes best when served in tulip shaped flutes. The narrow bowls of the flute entrap the aromas of the champagne that is why many of the connoisseurs sniff the champagne before sipping it. Different flutes placed in a regular flute set, serve different purposes. The shape of flute helps to preserve chill of champagne.
The champagne flute is also a collectible like Pink Depression glass and is hard to find too. The flutes are also used for serving desserts like gelatin, fruits and ice cream. The flute is also used to serve classic desserts like pudding with ice tea spoons and mousse.
Tulip Shaped Glasses in Wedding
Flutes are not only important for sipping champagne instead they hold a special place in wedding celebrations too. The flute is raised by the close relatives or father of the bride as toast. The wedding flutes come in different shapes. The traditional ones are shaped like trumpets. Nowadays, the personalized flutes are gaining popularity.
How to Take Care of Champagne Flute Glass
The Champagne flutes, especially crystal ones are very expensive and it takes quite an effort to preserve them. The champagne tulip glass mostly adorns the cabinets of the enthusiasts where mostly they become dusty and dull with time. The experts say that these flutes should be washed in dishwasher or with hands using warm soapy water and should be dried using a free lint cloth. Also, for retaining their luster, it is recommended that the glasses should be stored in a rack with glass cover. It is important to safeguard them from changes in temperature. The temperature changes can damage the champagne flute.
