How to open a champagne or sparkling wine bottle

How to open a Champagne / Sparkling wine bottle?

Champagne, as seen at parties or on television, opens with a loud pop; may be even with a bang!

But did you know that’s NOT how it’s supposed to sound? Yes, you heard it right. Champagne must not be opened with a loud pop but with a small sound, almost like a whisper. If it opens with a loud pop, that’s the work of an amateur. It can also make the cork fly out of your hands and hit someone – yes it does happen – and injure them seriously. So learn how to open a Champagne bottle like a pro.

Here’s a step by step guide to making your bubbly whisper.

1. Chill it well: Champagne / Sparkling wine at a higher temperature is more likely to bubbly over than one that is perfectly chilled at 6°C. Chilling it for at least 1.5 hours is essential; over night is preferable if not mandatory. Make sure the bottle is wiped dry before you proceed further.

2. Tear the foil: Unlike still wines, Champagne foils usually come with a small tab that you can pull to tear open the foil. Remove the foil only from the top instead of ripping it off completely.

3. Tilt the bottle at a 45° angle: Point the bottle away from yourself and others in the room so as to avoid injuring anyone.

4. Hold the cork down: While you twist open the cage wire, hold the cork down with your other hand so that it doesn’t fly out. It’s important to NOT remove the cage but only to twist the wire open with about 5-6 turns.

5. Twist to open: Hold down the cork with your thumb with two fingers curled around it.

With your other hand, twist the bottle gently. It is important to remember to not twist the cork but the bottle. As you twist, you will feel the cork rising out of the bottle.

Maintaining your grip on the cork, continue twisting the bottle till the cork pops with that desired whisper.

6. Pour: After you’ve opened the bottle, pouring it correctly is equally important. Pour it in to champagne flutes using the “beer-like” technique of pouring the wine down the side of a tilted flute. This will preserve the bubbles and maintain the taste.

While it can be fun to begin a celebration or create a party atmosphere with that quintessential pop, if the bottle is opened gently it will have more bubbles and taste better. As the old saying goes, "The ear's gain is the palate's loss."

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