How to build a sparkling wine tower
A sparkling wine tower is a pyramid of coupe glasses, filled by pouring into the top glass. The wine spills over the rim and fills each layer below. You need sturdy coupes, a level table, a tray and chilled sparkling wine. Build a tight base, stack each layer on the rims below, then pour slowly.
A tower makes a bright centerpiece for New Year's Eve or a holiday party. It looks grand, yet it needs only a little practice. Here is how to build one.
What you need
- Coupe glasses. Their wide, shallow bowls and stable bases make them the easiest glasses to stack. Use one matching set so every rim sits at the same height.
- A flat, sturdy surface. Pick a table or counter that holds the weight of the tower and doesn't wobble.
- A tray or cloth. Set it underneath to catch spills.
- A step stool (optional). Handy for taller towers.
- Chilled sparkling wine. Cold wine reduces spills and flows more smoothly from glass to glass.
- Towels. Keep a few nearby for any overflow.
Stacking the glasses
Choose the spot first. The tower should sit at a comfortable pouring height, away from busy walkways.
Next, decide on the size. A triangular tower is the simplest shape to build:
- 3 layers: 6 glasses at the base, 3 in the middle and 1 on top, for 10 glasses in all.
- 4 layers: 10 glasses at the base, then 6, 3 and 1, for 20 glasses in all.
Arrange the base as a tight triangle, with each glass touching its neighbors. Set each new layer so every glass rests evenly on the rims below, centered where those glasses meet. Keep going until a single glass sits on top.
Then test it. Tap the structure lightly and check that it stands level. Adjust any glass that tilts before you pour.
Pouring
Rehearse with water first. One practice run shows you how fast to pour and where the overflow goes.
When you're ready, pour the chilled sparkling wine slowly into the top glass. As it fills, the wine spills over the rim and cascades into the layer below. Stop once the bottom glasses are filled.
Pour in a steady stream rather than in bursts, so the foam settles as you go. Then invite guests to take a glass, starting from the top.
Set out water and a non-alcoholic option nearby for guests who aren't drinking.
Which sparkling wine to use
Choose a crisp, dry brut. Its bright acidity stays fresh as it cascades, and it suits the snacks on a party table. For other styles, see our guide to choosing a sparkling wine.
Vintner Sparkling Brut is a California sparkling wine with bright notes of pineapple, citrus and crisp green apple. A lively palate leads to a rich, creamy finish. Serve it with potato chips, melon salad or lemon tart.
For a display that sparkles before anyone pours, set a few bottles from our Shimmer collection beside the tower. Gold Shimmer Sparkling Brut and Silver Shimmer Sparkling Brut are California sparkling wines with notes of green apple, luscious pear and tropical aromas. Their creamy mid-palate and refreshing bubbles suit scallops or tropical fruit and cheese kebabs.
Browse every bottle in our sparkling wine collection. ONEHOPE wine gives back.
Frequently asked questions
What glasses work best for a sparkling wine tower?
Coupe glasses. Their wide rims and stable bases let each layer rest evenly on the one below. A matching set keeps the rims level.
How many glasses does a sparkling wine tower take?
It depends on the number of layers. A 3-layer triangular tower uses 10 glasses: 6, 3 and 1. A 4-layer tower uses 20: 10, 6, 3 and 1.
Should the sparkling wine be chilled?
Yes. Chilled sparkling wine reduces spills and flows smoothly from glass to glass.
Which ONEHOPE sparkling wine works for a tower?
Vintner Sparkling Brut, with pineapple, citrus and green apple notes, is a crisp choice for pouring. Gold Shimmer and Silver Shimmer Sparkling Brut add a shimmering gold or silver bottle to the display.
