How To Open Sparkling Wine | Wine Guide - Virgin Wines

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How to Open Sparkling Wine

We are not all versed in the art of Sabrage, where a sword brushes against the top of the cork to open a bottle of Champagne. So here are some tips on safely opening sparkling wine, allowing you to minimise spillage and avoid decadently spraying it all over the show Formula One style!

Step 1: Remove foil

First of all, carefully remove the foil and wire muzzle from your chilled bottle of fizz, keeping it pointing away from you and others around you. It’s important to keep your thumb on top of the cork and your hand around the cap so you have the best possible grip in case the pressure suddenly forces the cork out prematurely!

Step 2: Tilt it

Tilt the bottle, roughly to a 30 degree angle, keeping your hand on the cork at all times. We recommend this angle because it’s a comfortable position for most people to keep a firm grip of the bottle while removing the cork.

Step 3: Twist it

With one hand on the bottle and the other still holding the cork, twist the bottle firmly and gradually. Do not turn the cork! Keep going until you feel the pressure easing and the cork starting to loosen and pop out into your hand.

Step 4: Ease it out and pour

Hold the cork as it slowly comes out of the bottle, and with a smooth transition, the cork should pop gently with all the sparkling wine staying in the bottle. Now you’re ready to serve your perfectly chilled (and expertly opened) Champers and enjoy!

Fancy showing off?

Did you know?

• Not only will chilling the sparkling wine make it taste so much better, the chances of the cork popping out aggressively when opening the bottle will be slimmer.
• Flute glasses are best for serving sparkling wine because the glass shape forces the bubbles and aromas to travel through a larger volume of wine and intensify before reaching your nose at the surface of the glass.
• To open your bottle like a true wine connoisseur, the cork should make a quiet phut when removed, not a loud pop!

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