Champagne Glass Study Shows Higher Carbon Dioxide Concentration In Flute Than In Coupe

Listen to the podcast on Scientific America here.

Champagne. Do you drink it out of a narrow flute or the broader, more shallow coupe?

You may have noticed that your perception of the bubbly wine changed as gas escaped from it, and new research finds that the concentration of gas depends on the glass.

French researchers, but of course, monitored the concentration of ethanol and carbon dioxide in each type of glass for 15 minutes after champagne was poured. They discovered that there was a much higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the tall flute than the broad coupe.

Infrared imaging of the glasses gave a visual confirmation. Although the glass shape did not affect the concentration of ethanol vapor, the temperature did, with chilled champagne releasing less ethanol, but the same amount of carbon dioxide. The work is in the journal Public Library of Science ONE. [Gérard Liger-Belair et al, Monitoring Gaseous CO2 and Ethanol above Champagne Glasses: Flute versus Coupe, and the Role of Temperature]

Based on their findings, the researchers were able to construct a model for how carbon dioxide moves from liquid to gas. And for champagne drinkers, the finding may help them choose the perfect glass. Cheers.

—Sophie Bushwick

[The above text is a transcript of this podcast]     

Comments

[oldandweird]

11:16 PM on 02/12/2012

This is an important article for the Science section of HP? This article is another aspect of our addiction to alcohol, partying, 'fun', etc. How 'bout visiting the blog post by Jamie Lee Curtis? Most people defend their use of alcohol as being 'social' drinkers...and almost every social event is filled with lots of opportunity to drink alcohol. I'm sure my sister doesn't consider herself alcohol dependent but the need to drink two or more glasses of wine each night might say something different.

[HRH]

01:37 PM on 02/10/2012

There was an article here that said the same, and more.

Don't let the cork fly off; twist the bottle slowly and hold the cork FIRMLY. The smaller the pop, the more bubbles are preserved.

Pouring the champagne slowly down the side of the flute (like beer) preserves bubbles.

For the occasional (or rare!) leftover champagne, using anything other than a cork is a waste of money. You may have to whittle one to fit. Don't discard it when the bottle is finished; keep it for another time.

[Mr Crabs]

09:36 PM on 02/09/2012

Flute, Coupe or if you're like most people the ubiquitous red cup.

[mater]

11:35 AM on 02/09/2012

There are preferred vessels for champagne, but there is no bad way to enjoy something so marvelous! Bottoms up!