Why You Should Rethink Washing Champagne Glasses

Does anyone own Champagne glasses that aren't dusty for 90% of the year? Americans typically break out the Champagne for New Year's Eve and perhaps the occasional birthday or job promotion. Washing the glasses before use seems like an obvious move, but some people argue that you actually shouldn't wash Champagne glasses ahead of drinking from them. The logic here is that specks of dust, in addition to imperfections present in the glass itself, actually help to create more bubbles in the Champagne. This argument also applies to other sparkling wines, like Prosecco, which is different from Champagne in details like region but whose chemistry is essentially the same.

Of course, many recommend that you should still wash your glasses after you use them, preferably using hot water only and avoiding soap, as any lingering residue can affect the taste of Champagne. Because of their delicate nature, you should always gently wash Champagne flutes by hand and never put them in the dishwasher.

Not everyone agrees with the pro-dust stance. Other experts contend that bubbles in Champagne should exclusively come from the bottom of the glass. This is an argument against leaving dust in your glasses, since specks of it could be all over and help bubbles form wherever the dust is. There's also another more straightforward counterargument: leaving dust in glasses is kind of gross. For one thing, dust isn't the only thing that might be in long-dormant Champagne glasses. Pet hair, lint, and even the odd dead bug can show up in glasses that have gone unused for months. There might also be dust on the stem or other parts of the glass that don't come in contact with the Champagne — but do touch your hands. 

Some people are allergic to dust, which is a possible risk if you're having a gathering. The idea of not washing Champagne glasses before use may also come from people who simply use their Champagne glasses more often. A couple of specks of dust from glasses that were used last month are a different story from a layer of dust that's been forming for months.

There's a more palatable solution that lets you wash dust away while keeping your glasses from being "too clean": rinse them with cheaper wine before pouring your Champagne. Some chefs recommend this as a way to "season" the glasses. While you're at it, make sure you're storing your Champagne at the correct temperature, as this can affect the flavor as well.