It would seem that champagne glasses are very simple items that do not deserve special attention and conversation. But, if we consider the history of their creation, many facts will turn out to be very interesting and curious. How wine glasses appeared, what they are, why they acquired this particular form - we'll talk about this.
History of sparkling wine glasses
Champagne is a truly exquisite drink that deserves both the most flattering words and glasses that emphasize its dignity. It is sparkling wine that is the main attribute of the table, emphasizing the special mood of the festive feast.
Champagne glasses have changed their shape over a long period, but have always remained elegant and sophisticated, like the noble drink itself.
Initially, champagne was served in cone-shaped glasses. Later, sparkling wine began to be drunk from goblets made of wood and metal. Vessels shaped like a female were also used.breasts that were called “coupe de champagne.”
Glasses of this shape have been in use for three centuries, and are currently used in the construction of pyramids from champagne flutes, at various presentations and receptions.
Continuation of the story
There is a version of historians that the first champagne glasses appeared in France under King Louis XV. He ordered court glassblowers to make wine glasses resembling the shape of the chest of his favorite, the Marquise de Pompadour. This became known to the Russian Empress Catherine II, and she ordered to make elongated wine glasses.
In the 18th century, French glassblowers began to make crystal champagne flutes, which had thin walls shaped like an elongated tulip. Tall and narrow glasses, called "champagne flute" had a long stem and were not only convenient for tasting sparkling wine, but also emphasized the beauty of the drink and the play of bubbles.
In addition, Klaus Josef Riedel, a glass maker for various drinks, proved that the cup-shaped form of champagne flutes adversely affects the aroma and taste of wine. And he gave a number of arguments confirming that the shape of wine glasses always plays a big role in the perception of the taste and aroma of champagne and other drinks.
Shapes, types and types of glasses
Champagne flutes differ from other glasses for alcoholic beverages in their shape. Several classical varieties can be noted - this is a goblet, flute andtulip.
- The goblet is also known as the saucer. This glass has a shallow, wide bowl and a medium-length stem. These glasses were very popular at the beginning of the 20th century and were considered the best option for sparkling wine. Later they began to use glasses of a different shape, and the use of cups practically ceased. The fact is that its bowl does not allow the bubbles to play at full strength, and the area of contact between the drink and the air is too large. As a result, everything leads to the fact that sparkling wine quickly fizzles out and loses its dignity.
- Crystal champagne glasses, which are called "flute", have a tall and narrow bowl on a long stem. In glasses of this shape, the bubbles contained in the drink convey the aroma and taste of sparkling wine richer and brighter. Compared to a goblet in a flute, gas bubbles are better concentrated and rise to the top, emphasizing the whole gamut of taste.
- The "Tulip" glass is not as widespread as the goblet and flute. It is similar to a flute glass, but has a larger bowl that expands towards the middle and narrows towards the edges. Remotely, this glass resembles the shape of an unblown tulip.
Evolution of shapes and sizes
No matter how strange it may seem today, but earlier winemakers tried to get rid of gas bubbles that were formed during the process of making wine. The reference drink was considered to be wine produced in Burgundy, which had increased sweetness and viscosity. Two well-known French producers were arguing about which wine is better - with or without bubbles. Their disputeallowed the Duke of Orleans, who liked sparkling wine.
After that, they began to use champagne glasses to drink this sparkling drink. The nobility, imitating the duke, began to use him en masse.
Initially, little attention was paid to the glasses in which champagne was served. For the first time, doctors paid attention to their shape, who used sparkling wine to treat colds. They noticed that when filling narrower glasses, foam is formed better, and the drink has its effect on the patient more effectively. It was this form of wine glasses that became the prototype of modern glasses.
"Bohemia" champagne glasses
For the first time, Bohemian glass is mentioned in the annals of 1162, it was made in the Czech Republic and exported to other European countries. Bohemian glass has been famous for its quality and external beauty since those distant times.
For the manufacture of such glasses, quartz sand and lead oxide are used, which are heated in an oven to a temperature of 1500 ° C. Only Venetian crystal can compete with Bohemian glass in terms of its characteristics, but it is believed that the Czechs were able to surpass their Italian competitors.
Champagne glasses made of Bohemian glass (there is even such a brand Bohemia) are durable, clear and unique sound. The production and processing technology of Bohemian crystal is unique and inimitable.
Currentlysets of glasses of various shapes, sizes and finishes are made. Today there is, for example, silver and gold trim. Light falling on crystal glasses decorated in this way spreads around in a wide palette of bright colors. Because of their unique characteristics and extraordinary beauty, Bohemian champagne flutes are quite expensive.
Russian glasses
In Russia, one of the main places for the production of various glass products is the city of Gus-Khrustalny. Several centuries ago, in 1756, they began to produce glass and crystal of excellent quality, which was known not only in Russia, but also in many European countries.
Here they produce highly artistic products that have no analogues in the world. So, for example, in Gus-Khrustalny, champagne flutes are produced with gold threads inside the glass itself. They are called Venetian threads, but the craftsmen of Venice decorated their products with gilded threads on the outside, and did not "implant" them inside.
Currently, the plant is engaged in the production of exclusive author's collections of crystal. Almost all of the plant's products are works of contemporary art.
Requirements for glasses
The glass bowl should be elongated and narrow, since it is this shape that guarantees a long-term circulation of bubbles in the glass. In ordinary glasses, for example, in goblets, sparkling wine quickly loses carbon dioxide (bubbles).
The diameter of the neck of the wine glass should be small, inotherwise, the aroma of the sparkling drink will evaporate too quickly. The stem of the glass should be long so that the wine does not heat up from the warmth of the hand, and is cold, retaining its taste and aroma for a long time.
Here is one interesting little-known fact: on the glass of champagne glasses, elite manufacturers specially apply microdefects with laser beams. This is done so that the flows of carbon dioxide rise in the strictly necessary direction, revealing the fullness of the bouquet. However, crystal manufacturers do not recommend scratching the walls of glasses yourself, as this can damage the glasses and ruin them completely.
Which is better - crystal or glass wine glasses?
In many countries around the world, all glass products containing less than 4% lead are labeled "glass". And those products in which lead is present at about 10% or more are already labeled as "crystal".
The lead in the glass makes it more plastic and easier to engrave. Crystal is heavier than regular glass used to make champagne flute sets. The higher the percentage of lead oxide in a glass product, the purer and more expensive the crystal.
Crystal differs from ordinary glass in that the first optically bifurcates the edges. And glasses become warmer when they are touched by hands, and slightly increase the surrounding objects, if you look at them through a glass.
Wedding traditions
Wine glasses and champagne at a wedding are mandatory attributes, without which it is difficult to imagine any marriage. Today it is difficult to say where and under what circumstances such a tradition among newlyweds appeared - to break glasses after drinking champagne, but it is observed at every wedding.
It is believed that broken wine glasses are a symbol of the end of the bachelor life of the bride and groom, so to speak, the destruction of symbols of loneliness. For some peoples, a glass that has not completely broken is considered an indicator of the strength of a new family, while for others a large number of glass fragments speaks of future we alth. However, in all traditions, guests are invited to break the wedding glasses to the end in order to share the joy and happiness of the couple.
How to serve champagne the right way
In order for sparkling wine to reveal the full range of taste, it must be served following certain rules. If champagne is supposed to be served without a special ice bucket, then the bottle must be cooled to the desired temperature.
You need to cool champagne in the refrigerator, but in no case in the freezer, in which the wine will change its taste. You can also chill the drink in an ice bucket. Champagne should be served at a temperature of +7 С°.
Some "experts" say that the taste and aroma of sparkling wine will be better kept in a glass if a few ice cubes are dropped into it before bottling. However, this is fundamentally wrong, as the walls of the glass cool and fog up, condensation appears on the glass, which completely changes the taste and aroma of the noble drink.
How to pour correctly
There are certain norms for the correct pouring of champagne into glasses. They cannot fill the glass completely. Classic-shaped glasses are two-thirds full, large wine glasses only a third.
In order for champagne not to lose most of the bubbles during bottling, it must be poured into the glass correctly. Pour wine into a glass along its wall slowly, in a thin stream, tilting the bottle at 45 °. The glass needs to be filled twice, after the first it is necessary to give time for the drink to settle the foam.
It is contraindicated to pour sparkling wine into wet glasses, in this case, the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in champagne will be disturbed, which will affect the taste of the contents.
It is also affected by how to wash wine glasses. It is important to bear in mind that the glasses cannot be washed in the dishwasher, as the detergents used in them contain silicone additives that remain on the walls of the glasses, even after a thorough rinsing. Glasses must be washed by hand using natural soap and rinsed with clean running water.
Pyramid of wine glasses
At receptions and presentations, organizers often build pyramids of champagne glasses to treat guests to emphasize the solemnity of the event. They are also used to take an aperitif at a wedding or anniversary.
Pyramids of sparkling wine glasses are sometimes built from a huge number of glasses, usually from 35 to 364 pieces are used. The more wine glasses are displayed, the more spectacular the design looks.
When creating such pyramids, champagne glasses are used, which have the shape of a goblet (saucer). After the structure is built, they begin to pour the drink very slowly with a thin stream from the topmost glass. This continues until all the containers are filled with sparkling wine, which descends onto the lower glasses along the legs of the higher ones.
Conclusion
Which glasses to use for drinking champagne, everyone decides for himself. But it should be borne in mind that the shape of the wine glass has been transformed over time due to a number of objective reasons. And in order to fully enjoy the taste and aroma of fine sparkling wines, you need to use those glasses that are recommended by professionals.
