I was wondering what glasses people use for sparkling wine? I have some flute glasses, but other than effectively showcasing the bubbles, I was wondering whether others find that the flutes provide a better experience for sparkling wine. I've used regular white wine glasses, and thus far, I actually prefer those over the flutes. I just can't stick my nose in those flutes like I can w/ the regular glasses. So, just wondering what the champagne crowd finds works best with sparkling wine.

I like the Riedel Extreme champagne glasses. They are a bit larger than most flutes so you can do the sniff and still see the pretty bubbles.

Riedel Sommelier Vintage Champagne is what I use for all sparkling wine.

I'll second JW1 here. I also have the Spiegelau Champagne flutes but don't use them much any more. The Spiegs work fine but the Riedels are just way better.

Alas those are just too delicate for daily use around here. All I have to do is look at them and they commit suicide.

I've not broken any Riedel glassware (fortunately). I guess that I learned how to handle glass when I was young and worked with Chemistry glass, which makes the Riedel Somms look downright inexpensive. If we broke glassware in our Chemistry class in high school we got to pay for it. Thus my care in handling fragile glass.

I use Spiegs for daily use at home and at my restaurant, but after seeing the Riedel Somms. that Skwid (The Oakland Bubble Head) brought to Del Dotto I am going to invest in 12 for the house. Very nice glass.

After I buy some Spigelau champagne glasses for daily use I'll invest in some Riedels next. Man do I need some decent Champer glasses. A weakness in my arsenal.

Grrr....my pocketbook was hoping the champagne crew would tell me that champagne specific glasses are overrated and that they never use them. Just too much to hope for. Thanks everyone for your input.

If I'm drinking my champagne very cold (read, cheap wine), a flute does nicely. If it's one that tastes better once it's warmed up (more expensive), I prefer a nice white wine glass.

My Spieglau flutes are wonderful if a little delicate, but I find the bouquet doesn't get a chance to develop in them.

I have some Lenox Tuscan (?) white wines that are better to drink the champers from. Pretty shape too.

Lilac, that is why the Riedel Somm Vintage Champagne glasses are so good, they are basically a cross between a Chardonnay glass and Champagne flute. There really is a difference using them versus a Speig. Vino Grande Champagne flute.