Champagne Etiquette - Did You Know?

Nowadays Champagne is seen as a recreational, luxurious tipple, enjoyed around the world by toffs doing the season, the middle classes at “special occasions” and pimp daddies with their arm candy.  However, there are a few rules for enjoying champers at its best.

So, here’s the simple, correct way to open that Champagne or sparkling bottle of wine:

Chill it.  Before anything else, chill the bottle in the refrigerator for several hours, or in an ice bucket, (half ice cubes, half water), for about half an hour.  Chilling not only brings the beverage to the ideal drinking temperature but also makes the bubbles less volatile than they are at warmer temperatures, so the wine will be less likely to gush.  Also, the simple act of leaving the bottle undisturbed for a length of time also keeps those bubbles calmer.

Wipe it dry.  Remove the bottle from the fridge or from the ice bucket.  Use a clean kitchen towel to wipe the bottle dry so it isn’t slippery.

Remove the foil.  Tear off the foil that covers the cork and the wire cage that helps keep the cork securely in place.  The foil on some bottles includes a pull-tab and perforations to help remove it; if not, just slit the foil and pull it off, or use the wire loop on the cage as a starting point for tearing the foil.

Remove the cage and metal cap.  While keeping one thumb close to the cork to hold it down in case the pressure in the bottle starts to push out, untwist the wire loop at the side of the cage.  Then, spread the bottom of the cage away from the bottle and lift it off, along with the metal cap covering the top of the cork.

Grip the cork firmly.  With one hand, securely grasp the cork.  The towel used to wipe the bottle may help secure a firmer grip.

Turn the bottle.  While grasping the cork firmly and turning it in one direction, use the other hand to turn the bottle in the opposite direction.  This will loosen the cork, and pressure inside the bottle will start to push it out.

Ease out the cork.  Do not let the cork pop or shoot out into someone's eye!  A secure grip on it, and slight downward pressure, will help it ease out slowly with a gentle popping sound - and without any likely loss of Champagne.  (Just in case a little does flow out, the towel or napkin already close by will catch it, avoiding a mess).

Choosing the Right Glass.  The Champagne or sparkling wine is now ready to pour. The best glass for savoring it is the tall, slender kind known as a Champagne flute, which promotes sipping and—because bubbles rise primarily from the narrow bottom—keeps it bubbly longer.  For further inspiration, see our range of LSA Champagne Glassware here.