The English Coupe Collection

The Champagne Coupe: A 400-Year-Old French Legend

For nearly four centuries, wine lovers have been drinking sparkling wine from the champagne coupe – a wide, shallow glass with an elegant stem and a legendary origin story. According to popular myth, the coupe was modelled on Marie Antoinette's breast in the 17th century, representing what was considered the "perfect" feminine form at the French court.

It's a romantic tale that has endured through generations. But in 2025, as English sparkling wine continues to prove itself as world-class, we at Folc asked ourselves a simple question: why are we still celebrating French aristocracy every time we raise a glass of English wine?

English Sparkling Wine Has Evolved – So Should Our Glassware

The Rise of English Sparkling Wine

English sparkling wine has come a long way. Vineyards across the South East of England are producing exceptional wines that regularly win international awards and blind tastings against prestigious Champagne houses. The quality speaks for itself.

Yet the culture surrounding English sparkling wine has remained largely borrowed from France. From the terminology to the serving rituals to the glassware itself, we've been following Champagne's rulebook.

Why Traditional Champagne Coupes Don't Tell Our Story

The traditional champagne coupe represents more than just French heritage – it embodies a specific, narrow ideal of beauty and perfection. One woman's body (allegedly), never consented to, held up as a standard for nearly 400 years.

At Folc, we believe English sparkling wine deserves glassware that reflects modern British values: diversity, inclusivity, and celebration of real people.

Introducing the British Coupe Collection

Hand-Crafted British Glassware for a New Generation

Our British Coupe Collection reimagines the champagne coupe through the lens of contemporary Britain. Working with acclaimed British artists Lydia Reeves (body-casting specialist) and Phoebe Stubbs of Gather Glass, we've created a collection of hand-crafted coupes inspired by real British bodies.

Each piece celebrates diversity over uniformity. Different shapes. Different curves. Different identities. All equally worthy of raising in a toast.

The Artists Behind the Collection

Lydia Reeves brings years of expertise in body-casting, creating sculptures that honour the human form with sensitivity and artistry. Her work explores themes of identity and representation.

Phoebe Stubbs of Gather Glass is a master glassmaker known for her innovative approach to traditional glassmaking techniques. Each coupe is individually hand-crafted in her studio, making every piece unique.

Real People, Real Bodies, Real Stories

The participants who chose to be involved in this project brought courage and authenticity to every piece. Women like Bryony Moss (@defeatingdisability) represent bodies and stories that have never been celebrated in luxury glassware before.

This isn't about creating a new "ideal" – it's about celebrating that there is no single ideal. Beauty is diverse, and our glassware should reflect that.

Launching with English Sparkling Rosé

A Modern Wine for Modern Glassware

Our English Coupe Collection launches alongside our new English Sparkling Rosé (£34.99). Sourced from vineyards across Kent, this vibrant, approachable wine embodies everything we stand for: quality, openness, and unapologetic British identity.

While Champagne houses cling to tradition and gatekeeping, we're building something different. English sparkling wine that brings people together, not shuts them out.

Why Champagne Coupe Shape Matters

The Debate: Coupe vs Flute vs White Wine Glass

Wine enthusiasts have long debated the merits of different champagne glasses. The champagne flute became popular for preserving bubbles and maintaining effervescence. The coupe experienced a resurgence for its wider bowl that allows wine to breathe and releases aromatic compounds. Some wine professionals are now even advocating for white wine glasses when tasting sparkling wine, as the generous bowl showcases complexity and allows the wine to open up fully without compromising the integrity of the bubbles.

We'll be honest: coupes may not be the "best" choice from a purely technical tasting perspective. They don't preserve bubbles as well as flutes, and they're not as optimal for nosing as white wine glasses.

But here's the thing – they're fun. They're fancy. They're joyful. Ours will be sure to start conversation at your next dinner party.

At Folc, we don't mind what you drink your wine out of, as long as you're enjoying it. Champagne's obsession with rules and "correct" glassware is exactly the gatekeeping we're pushing back against. Whether you prefer a flute, a coupe, a white wine glass, or even a tumbler – if it brings you joy, that's the right choice.

Sustainable and Ethical Glassware

Each coupe in our English Coupe Collection is hand-crafted using traditional glassmaking techniques. By supporting British artisans and choosing quality over mass production, we're investing in sustainable, ethical luxury goods that tell a meaningful story.

English Wine Culture: Time for Independence

Breaking Free from Champagne's Rules

Champagne has spent centuries building an exclusive culture around how to drink, what to say, and which glass to use. This gatekeeping has created barriers that keep many people from enjoying sparkling wine.

At Folc, we believe wine should be inclusive, not exclusive. Our English Coupe Collection is part of a broader movement: English sparkling wine establishing its own aesthetic, its own values, and its own culture.

The Media Response

The Times, Daily Mail, Times Radio, and GB News have all covered our English Coupe Collection, sparking conversations about representation, British craft, and the future of English wine culture.

Shop the Collection

English Sparkling Rosé Available Now

While we're processing enquiries for the British Coupe Collection, our English Sparkling Rosé (£34.99) is available now at drinkfolc.com.

Whether you're enjoying it from our new coupes or your favourite glass at home, this wine represents the future of English sparkling: vibrant, modern, and authentically ours.

Join us in celebrating craft, real bodies, and world-class wine. Because after 400 years, it's time for a new story and here at Folc, we're proud to tell it.