How do you wash these safely?

Always wash antique glassware by hand in warm soapy water. Modern dishwashers run too hot and use abrasive detergents that cause irreversible surface clouding. Hold the glass by the bowl rather than the stem while washing. Twisting the bowl while holding the base puts stress on the stem joint and causes fractures. Dry immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.

I noticed some old glasses have a hollow stem that goes all the way down. Does that make them hard to drink from?

Hollow stem flutes work perfectly well for drinking. The design simply allows the champagne to fill the stem, creating an elongated display of rising bubbles that looks distinct on a table. Cleaning them does require a little more care. A thin flexible brush easily reaches down into the stem to clear out any residue left after a party.

Why are coupe glasses so wide and shallow?

The coupe developed when champagne was served much sweeter. The wide bowl allowed the wine to breathe, exposing more surface area to the air to mellow the sweetness. The bubbles do dissipate faster in a coupe. Many people now prefer them for serving cocktails.

My grandmother left me a set with thin gold lines around the rims, but the gold seems to be rubbing off in places. Is there any way to fix or clean it without making it worse?

Worn gilding is a standard sign of age on antique glasses. Once the fired-on gold wears away from use and washing, it cannot be easily restored without sending the piece to a specialist glass restorer. To prevent further loss, avoid rubbing the rim when drying. Just dab the gilded edge gently with a soft cloth and store them upright rather than resting on their rims.

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Antique Champagne Glasses

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Designed specifically for serving sparkling wine, antique champagne glasses range from wide shallow coupes to tall slender flutes, often featuring cut or etched decoration on the bowl and an elongated stem to keep warm hands away from the chilled drink.