Instructions for
Opening Champagne Correctly

Opening champagne should not be a stressful event.

However, many of us have experienced that moment of panic when we realize we don't know how to open a bottle.

Well, there’s no time like the present to learn because you never know when you’ll be opening champagne next.

A champagne bottle is under pressure, lots of it, from the carbon dioxide that’s built up by the fermentation method. So, whatever you do, DO NOT attempt to use a corkscrew or any kind of traditional wine opener.

Chill It

Make sure your champagne or sparkling wine is chilled properly before you open it.

Champagne can be served right out of the refrigerator at approximately 40°F. But depending upon the temperature of your refrigerator and of the outside room, you may find its flavors are enhanced if you let it stand for 10-15 minutes.

Use A Flute

Be sure to use the proper type of wine glass to serve your champagne or sparkling wine in. A champagne flute is specially designed to enhance your appreciation of this special beverage.

Foil And Wire

Holding the bottle away from yourself, any living creatures or expensive vases, remove the foil. Then carefully remove the wire cage protecting the cork, formally referred to by the French as the “muselet” (pronounced mew-zeh-LAY).

You may want to keep a hand on the cork until you get the napkin (below) around it just in case your bottle has enough pressure built up to release the cork on its own.

Use A Napkin

Wrap a linen or cloth napkin over the top of the champagne bottle and cork. You can also use a kitchen towel if presentation is not important. Do not attempt to open the bottle with just your hands – this is how you can “poke your eye out” as your mother used to say.

Turn The Bottle, Not The Cork

Still pointing the bottle away from yourself, position the bottle at a 45° angle, hold the cork firmly with one hand while turning the bottle gently with the other. Turning the cork won’t give you the same leverage.

Release, Don’t Pull

As you gently turn the bottle, you’ll feel the cork begin to release. Keep a firm grip on the cork so it doesn’t “pop”. What you want instead is a whisper or a sigh. Unfortunately, the loud “pop” we associate with opening champagne usually means half of the liquid has spilled out with it.

Acknowledge The Applause

Great job! Now enjoy your champagne and be thankful for moments like these.

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