Opening a bottle of champagne is a festive ritual. However, opening a champagne bottle can be difficult if you haven't tried it before. You need to twist the bottle, hold the cork, and gently push the cork until it comes out of the bottle. Make sure you grip the cork firmly, unless you want champagne to rain! Aim for a "sigh," not a "pop."
Step
Method 1 of 2: Opening a Bottle
Step 1. Remove the foil and metal cage
First of all, tear off the foil wrapping the cork. Then, untwist the wire to loosen the wire cage that protects the cork. Do it slowly and softly. Keep your thumb on the cork to prevent accidental pops.
Do not remove the wire cage until just before the bottle is about to be opened! Otherwise, the cork may open before you are ready. The cage serves to protect the cork
Step 2. Hold the bottle well
Grasp the body of the bottle with your dominant hand. Pinch the thick end of the cork deep into the palm of your non-dominant hand.
- Support the bottom of the bottle with your pelvis. If you are holding the bottle with your right hand, use your right pelvis or the right side of your torso.
- Consider securing the cork with a kitchen rag. The friction of the washcloth will make it easier for you to catch and hold the cork as it pops from the bottle. In addition, the cloth will absorb the champagne that comes out so it doesn't spill.
Step 3. Twist the bottle and hold the cork
Gently turn the bottle left and right with your dominant hand. Continue to grip the cork firmly with your non-dominant hand. As the cork rotates, gradually increase the distance between your hands until your dominant hand is in the middle of the bottle.
Step 4. Pop the champagne bottle
Specify the desired effect. If you are indoors or surrounded by many people, make sure you remove the cork gently so there is no damage. If you want the dramatic effect of a champagne shower, open the bottle with a strong pop and fly the cork high into the air. If you're opening a champagne bottle for a formal and classy occasion, try to make a "whoosh" instead of a "pop" sound when opening the bottle.
- Open the bottle slowly: Slow down the loop towards the end, when the cork is almost out. Hold the cork firmly. Press your thumb between the lips of the cork until it slides out of the bottle smoothly. Keep a grip on the cork, and "catch" it so it doesn't fly. Try to do it very gently so that there is no popping sound when the bottle is opened.
- Pops the bottle dramatically. Use your thumb to push the cork out from under your lip. Shake the bottle to trigger carbonation, if you want an added, messy effect. Aim the bottle away from you and other people, as well as objects around you. Try not to try this method until you are good at gently opening a champagne bottle!
Method 2 of 2: Following Champagne Etiquette
Step 1. Cool the champagne bottles before opening
Store in the refrigerator, cooler, or bucket filled with ice. Give it at least a few hours to make sure the contents are completely cold. Not only will this enrich the taste, but the champagne won't squirt everywhere.
Step 2. Open the bottle carefully in a formal event
Keep a firm grip on the cork so it doesn't fly off unexpectedly. Gently twist the bottle (not the cork) until the cork is almost out of the bottle. Listen for an almost clear “sigh” from the loose cork. Then, pull gently using your entire palm. Hold the cork over the open bottle for a few seconds to make sure the foam doesn't overflow.
If you are serving champagne as a waiter or food supplier, usually the etiquette is to open the bottle as politely as possible. Don't spray champagne, and don't let the cork fly. Practice until you can do it without the "pop."
Step 3. Do not shake your bottle
Champagne is a carbonated drink that is kept under pressure. If the bottle is shaken, the pressure increases to a dangerous level. Opening a high-pressure champagne bottle will release a powerful burst of champagne and shoot the cork at high speed.
If you accidentally shake the bottle, let it sit for an hour or two for the ingredients to settle. CO2 it will be absorbed more quickly into the drink if the champagne is cold.
Step 4. Pour slowly
Champagne is a carbonated drink, and the foamy liquid rises quickly when poured into a glass. Don't spill champagne, especially if you're pouring champagne for someone else!
- Hold the glass upright. Rarely tilt the glass when the drink is poured.
- Fill one third of the champagne glass. Then, refill the glass after you've poured a little into everyone's glass.
- Do not touch the lip of the bottle to the rim of the champagne glass. This is sometimes considered unethical because champagne is often stored in cellars, putting you at risk of soiling someone's glass.
Tips
- Never try to open a bottle that has not cooled completely. A warm, room-temperature bottle of champagne is easier to pop and spray all over the place.
- The quieter the sound, the better. Ideally, you should hear only a low hissing. This means the wine is cool enough, and you don't run the risk of spilling your drink on the floor.
Warning
- Do not remove the cork when pulled. cork can slide in high speed. If the cork is aimed in the wrong direction, you could damage valuables or injure someone.
- Do not remove the bottle body when the cork is open. Bottles can be pushed to the floor and break.
