How to choose a champagne glass?

[vanveen]

We have the classic champagne flute:

The champagne glass:

And the trumpet:

(Let's avoid the saucers/coupes.)

Cosmetics aside, which promotes aroma and flavor the best? It would seem to me that the trumpet-style, flared flute wouldn't be great because the aroma would disperse in all directions, but between the classic glass and flute, I'm at a loss. What differences would one expect?

[Craig Camp]

I vote for 2, the Champagne glass. No contest.

[Fat Guy]

As I understand it, the problem with the trumpet is that it doesn't contain or concentrate the aromas, so they just dissipate. You want a glass that curves in, to contain the aromas, and you want some decent volume and liquid surface area. So for really good Champagne, you want the Champagne glass -- or even a regular white-wine glass if it's a particularly wine-like Champagne (like some of the grower Champagnes). The flute is fine for basic NV Champagnes, I think.

[Marc Olson]

The best champagne is a fine wine with bubbles. Having a glass that will allow the aroma to develop and be retained can make a big difference. Our favorite champagne glass is the Riedel Sommelier Vintage Champagne, similar to #2 above but slightly narrower in the body: