PARIS, Nov 30 — From elegant stemware, Swarovski crystals and even custom-made speakers, champagne houses have released festive holiday collections that up the ante in elegance and innovative packaging.

Luxury champagne house Piper-Heidsieck, for instance, has teamed up with French crystal-maker Baccarat to create a US$650 (RM2095) holiday gift featuring two bottles of bubbly and a pair of custom-made flutes. Set in a red-varnished wood case, the limited edition holiday gift set includes a bottle of 1996 and 2006 Vintage Brut, along with two Chateau Baccarat flutes, designed by oenologist Bruno Quenioux.

Krug Champagne has also released an innovative package that includes a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee, two Joseph crystal glasses by Riedel (named after the founder Joseph Krug), and a porcelain shell that fits onto the glass rim.

Krug Champagne holiday gift set.

Drinkers are invited to put their ear to the glass and listen to the effervescent sound of rising bubbles to highlight the proverbial sixth sense of the champagne-drinking experience: sound. Designed by Ionna Vautrin, the idea was inspired by seashells which echo the sound of the sea.

At London department store Selfridges, Moet & Chandon has installed a vending machine that sell mini bottles of bubbly, bedecked in Swarovski crystals. In addition to its festive, gold metallic packaging designed to reflect the bubbly’s golden hue, the Coffret Fresh Golden also keeps the bottle of Moet & Chandon it comes with cold for up to two hours.

Krug Sounds features a porcelain shell that fits onto the glass rim.

And for serious connoisseurs with deep pockets, the champagne house has also released a €500 (RM2189) Jeroboam sprinkled with gold glitter, a red, satin ribbon fastened to its neck. — AFP-Relaxnews