L.S.A. Epoque

With sparkling wine, the shape decides how long the bubbles last. A narrow 17 cl glass holds on to the carbonation longer than a wide coupe, because less surface is in contact with the air. If you mainly pour champagne or prosecco, that is the strongest reason to choose this model. The 17.5 cl cocktail glass is a classic size: large enough for a shaken cocktail with a layer of foam, small enough to stay cold to the last sip. Feel free to compare the shapes in the wider range of champagne glasses before you decide.

Pour champagne in two goes. First a splash, wait for the foam to settle, then top up to about two thirds. Hold the glass by the stem while you do, because warm hands drive the bubbles out. Chill the cocktail glass in advance and fill it only at the moment of serving. A french 75 sits exactly between the two glasses and works in either, while a kir royal calls for the narrow champagne glass so the crème de cassis stays at the bottom.

Stemmed glasses almost always break where the bowl meets the stem, and that happens during washing up. So wash them by hand if in doubt, and hold them by the bowl rather than by the stem. In the dishwasher they belong in a rack that supports the bowl. When drying, turn the cloth around inside the glass without twisting the bowl against the foot.

If you are looking for a taller, narrower flute, have a look at the champagne flutes. For a roomier coupe or a different cocktail shape, the cocktail glasses offer more choice in both form and capacity. The rest of this brand's range can be found at L.S.A., and a bottle that has to stay cold until the second round goes into a champagne cooler in the middle of the table.