The Evolution of the Champagne Coupe and Its Intriguing History

If you meet me for merely a few minutes you quickly realize that there are few topics that I love and that includes:  champagne, history, and royalty....probably in that order.  So, hear ye, hear ye, let's discuss the infamous French Champagne Coupe.  Few drinking vessels inspire as much romance, rumor, and debate as the French champagne coupe. Elegant yet impractical and controversial, the coupe has drifted in and out of fashion for centuries.  So, let's start with the coupe itself.

What Defines the Shape of a Champagne Coupe

The champagne coupe is instantly recognizable by its shallow, wide bowl, short stem, and broad rim. Unlike flutes or tulips, which are designed to preserve carbonation, the coupe prioritizes aroma, accessibility, and theatrical presentation.  The wide surface area, allowing bubbles to dissipate quickly and the wide broad rim is ideal for garnishes and sugar rims.  Historically, this shape suited early sparkling wines, which were less carbonated than modern champagne. It was also perfect for the lavish, overflowing pours popular in aristocratic and celebratory settings.

Rumor Has It that the Coupe Really Modeled on Marie Antoinette’s Breast

The most enduring rumor surrounding the coupe claims that its shape was modeled on the breast of Marie Antoinette. According to legend, a mold was taken from her body to create the glass.  While undeniably provocative, historians widely agree this story is almost certainly apocryphal. Champagne coupes existed before Marie Antoinette rose to prominence, and no contemporary evidence supports the claim.  

Interestingly, though in the late 18th century, neoclassical fascination with the human form inspired decorative objects modeled after anatomy, including the female breast. One famous example is the bol sein, a ceramic vessel designed in the shape of a woman's breast complete with nipple.  The bowl was commissioned by Louis XVI for Marie's dairy farm and supposing inspired by the Queen herself...how scandalous.    

Her Association with Piper Heidsieck

The queen’s champagne legacy is more tangible through her association with Piper-Heidsieck. Florens-Louis Heidsieck is said to have presented his champagne to Marie Antoinette in the late 18th century, helping cement the house’s reputation among European royalty. While she did not “design” the coupe, her image became inseparable from champagne culture, luxury, and later legend.  It was a champagne fit for a Queen...and for me!  It's one of my favorites.  Shop Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut,   

The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of the Coupe

By the mid-20th century, the coupe had largely fallen out of fashion, and it became impractical as champagne became more carbonated.  The coupe had a stylish resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s with the Art Deco revival thanks to one Leonardo DiCaprio movie.  Today, coupes are prized less for champagne purity and more for style, versatility, and nostalgia.   Want your own coupe?  Shop our Hawthrone Coupes.