Don't worry about popping the cork – here's how to open a bottle of sparkling wine
A glass of sparkling wine or champagne is very enjoyable over the festive period and on New Year's Eve. However, many of us experience a slight unease when opening the bottle – and not without reason. After all, the pressure in a bottle of sparkling wine can be four times as high as the pressure in a car tyre. The cork can reach speeds of up to 50 km an hour when it shoots out. But following our professional tips below will have you popping corks safely and with a flourish.
The key points
- Chill sparkling wine thoroughly.
- Cut the capsule at the bulge.
- Secure the cork and do not point the bottle at people.
- Hold the bottle at a 45° angle.
- Pour into glasses at an angle and fill only three-quarters full.
Opening a bottle of sparkling wine – list of contents
How do you chill sparkling wine correctly for perfect enjoyment?
Sparkling wine should always be well chilled when opened. Improvised last-minute cooling in a bucket of ice will help reach the temperature required. The carbonation in the wine, however - and therefore the taste experience - is significantly improved if sparkling wines are stored optimally and cooled sufficiently in advance. For maximum enjoyment, store the champagne in your wine fridge overnight.
How do you open a bottle of sparkling wine safely and elegantly?
Even though most sparkling wines have a perforation or a piece of tape for tearing off the capsule, we recommend a clean incision at the lower lip of the bottle, as with a still wine. This just looks better and is more elegant.
Next, loosen the wire cage with one hand and hold the cork in place with the other. Ensure at all times while opening that you always secure the cork with one hand, and never point the bottle towards the guests or your own face. If you already feel the cork coming out of the bottle when loosening the basket, it's better to leave this on the cork when opening. Otherwise remove it, being sure to hold the cork in place.
If the loosened basket remains on the cork, then you should wrap this in a napkin to prevent the wire injuring your hand. However, even with corks which remain firmly in place, a napkin is recommended, as it makes it easier to hold the cork.
Hold the bottle at an angle of 45° when opening. This increases the surface area in the neck of the bottle and preventsfoaming over due to the sudden drop in pressure. When opening, one hand holds the cork in place, the other twists the bottle. This gives you much better leverage and greater control over the cork which is pushing to come out. Next, by applying appropriate counter pressure, allow the cork to slide out of the bottle as slowly as possible. Ideally, you should just hear a little “pfffst” rather than a loud “plop”.
How do you pour sparkling wine correctly?
When pouring, hold the glasses at a slight angle to avoid over foaming and to avoid losing too much CO². Only fill the glasses around ¾ full.
Cheers!
The author
Frank Kämmer
I have worked for many years in high-end restaurants and during this time became one of the top sommeliers in Europe. In 1996, I achieved the title of Master Sommelier; the highest international qualification in my profession. Today, I work full-time as a consultant in the international wine and gastronomy industry. I have also published numerous books on wines and spirits and was the first German to be accepted into the British Circle of Wine Writers.
