Wine

Luigi Bormioli and the shape of celebration

How glass design elevates the art of sparkling wine.

In the world of fine sparkling wine, every detail matters – from the vineyard’s terroir to the vintage, the minute details that stem from méthode traditionnelle practices and the vessel that delivers the first effervescent sip. For connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike, the shape of the glass is not mere aesthetics; it is a silent conductor of aroma, texture, and taste. A well-designed glass doesn’t just hold wine – it reveals it. 

Luigi Bormioli, the storied Italian glassmaker with roots tracing back to 14th-century Parma, understands this truth intimately. For over 25 generations, the Bormioli family have fused heritage craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation to create glassware that doesn’t merely serve wine, but also enhances its very soul. Today, their reputation as global leaders in artisanal, lead-free crystal is built on a legacy of precision, beauty, and unwavering quality, epitomised in their thoughtfully engineered sparkling wine glasses. 

Take the Vinoteque Perlage, a masterclass in functional elegance. Its tall, slender silhouette minimises surface area, preserving delicate bubbles and protecting the wine’s aromatic integrity: ideal for nuanced expressions like Blanc de Blancs or vintage cuvées. At its base, a precisely etched epicure (indentation) acts as a nucleation point, releasing a steady, crown-like stream of fine bubbles that carry ethereal notes of citrus blossom, brioche, and chalky minerality to the nose. 

For those who appreciate both tradition and performance, the Crescendo Flute offers a refined take on the classic flute. Its accentuated epicure ensures a persistent mousse, making it perfect for non-vintage sparkling wines where lively effervescence and bright fruit character are paramount. The result? A glass that keeps the wine vibrant from first pour to final sip. 

Then there’s the Atelier Sparkling Wine flute, where contemporary design meets sensory science. Its gently curved bowl is calibrated to amplify aroma diffusion, while the deep epicure sustains a dynamic bubble train, ideal for complex, structured styles like Blanc de Noirs, where red fruit depth and textural richness deserve full expression. 

And for moments steeped in glamour, the Optica Champagne Coupe and Jazz Cocktail Coupe pay homage to the golden age of fizz. Though their wide, shallow bowls sacrifice bubble longevity, they shine in stylistic settings – think vintage-inspired soirées or sparkling cocktails – where visual drama and historical romance take centre stage. Crafted with Art Deco flair, they blend retro charm with modern durability. 

Every Luigi Bormioli glass is born in Italy, forged with patented technologies like Titanium Reinforced® stems and SON.hyx® ultra-clear lead-free crystal, offering brilliance that endures over 4,000 dishwasher cycles. More than glassware, these are heirlooms in the making: vessels that honour the past while elevating every pour into a ritual of refinement. 

Discover more at luigibormioli.com.au – including a very special Wine Selectors pick of premium Luigi Bormioli glassware here.