For nearly four centuries, wine lovers have been drinking sparkling wine from the champagne coupe, a wide, shallow glass with 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.
But in 2025, as English sparkling wine continues to prove itself as world-class, Kent-based wine producer Folc asked a simple question: why are we still celebrating French aristocracy every time we raise a glass of English wine?
I was invited to a wine communicator lunch celebrating the launch of the English Coupe Collection, an afternoon that brought together the stories, artistry, and vision behind this groundbreaking project. Working with British artists Lydia Reeves, a body-casting specialist, and Phoebe Stubbs of Gather Glass, Folc has 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 participants who chose to be involved in this project brought courage and authenticity to every piece, representing bodies and stories that have never been celebrated in luxury glassware before. “I hope people will see the importance of seeing diverse bodies and how beautiful and unique they all are,” Reeves said. “I love the fact that this is a usable product that is also a really unique, completely special art piece at the same time.”
The English Coupe Collection launches alongside Folc’s new English Sparkling Rosé. Sourced from vineyards across Kent, this vibrant wine embodies everything the brand stands for: quality, openness, and unapologetic British identity.
Katie Chubb, Folc’s Chief Marketing Officer, is honest about the technical limitations. “Coupes may not be the ‘best’ choice from a purely technical tasting perspective. 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.”
Champagne’s obsession with rules and “correct” glassware is exactly the gatekeeping Folc is pushing back against. Whether you prefer a flute, a coupe, or even a tumbler, if it brings you joy, that’s the right choice.
Only twelve pieces were crafted for the debut collection, priced at £1,000 for the full set, and they have already sold out. The English Coupe Collection is part of a broader movement: English sparkling wine establishing its own aesthetic, its own values, and its own culture.
The project taps into the “Folc It” mentality that lies at the heart of the company. “It’s about that disregard for rules, rebellion against the age-old traditions and constraints that are often associated with the wine industry,” Chubb explains. “We want to move away from that to a place of enjoyment for everyone.”
After 400 years, it’s time for a new story, and at Folc, they’re proud to tell it.
