Uncorking and Serving Champagne
How to Open Champagne?
Uncorking a bottle of champagne may seem challenging, but it's not! Learn how to open a bottle without the cork flying off. In three easy steps, discover the art of opening a champagne bottle without spills. Wondering if the cork should fly off? Ignore the steps below, shake the bottle, and don't hold back the cork!
In three steps, you can uncork the champagne, and we'll explain exactly how to do this easily.
Step 1: Loosen the Wire
Remove the foil from the bottle and then loosen the wire, also known as muselet.
Step 2: Twist the Bottle
Hold the bottom of the champagne bottle in your hand. If you are right-handed, hold the bottle in your right hand. If you are left-handed, hold it in your left hand. With the other hand, grip the cork firmly. Then twist the bottle, not the cork.
Step 3: Let the Cork Come Out Slowly
The pressure will increase. It is important to continue holding the cork tightly. Let the pressure build slowly, and the cork will come out of the bottle smoothly.
Sabering Champagne
Sabering your champagne bottle is another alternative. The traditional method of sabering is done with a sword, also known as a saber. With the saber, you break off the top of the bottle. The cork is shot out of the bottle at 160 kilometers per hour. Sabering originated in the early 19th century. During the time of Napoleon, this technique was used to celebrate victories.
Sabering requires some practice but is a spectacular and festive alternative to opening a bottle of champagne.
Serving Temperature of Champagne
The ideal serving temperature for champagne is between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius. It is recommended to serve vintage champagnes slightly less chilled to enhance their flavors and aromas.
Two ways to cool the champagne to the right serving temperature:
- Place the champagne bottle in an ice bucket for 30 minutes.
- Place the bottle horizontally in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Serving Champagne
The champagne is at the right temperature, and now it can be served. Champagne can be served in various glasses, each with its own function. They come in different shapes and sizes.
- Champagne Flute: Modern, long, high stem. Bubbles rise beautifully in a flute. A good flute has a thin wall, allowing it to adjust to the temperature of the champagne within minutes.
- Champagne Coupe: Classic, wide, flat glasses. Not very suitable for serving champagne as the bubbles escape relatively quickly due to the glass's width.
- Tulip-shaped Champagne Glass: Narrow bottom, wide top. A beautiful glass for rosé champagne.
When pouring champagne, hold the glass at a 45-degree angle. Pour the champagne, letting the bubbles flow gently along the edge of the glass. This prevents the champagne from foaming and overflowing. Do not fill the glasses completely; leave enough space to let the aromas come through. Fill the champagne glasses three-quarters full. For tulip or wine glasses, pour the champagne in until just past the glass's bulge.
Tasting Champagne
Finally, the champagne is in the glass, and it's time to taste. But what are you actually tasting? Tasting champagne involves using your senses. Observe, listen, and smell the bubbles. Follow our steps to taste champagne the right way.
1. Observation
Examine the Color
Hold your champagne glass. Check if the champagne is clear and observe how the bubbles effervesce. The champagne should be clear. The color is determined by the age of the champagne. A young champagne is almost colorless. An apricot or gold-colored champagne is often more mature.
Observe the Bubbles
The finer the bubbles, the higher the quality. The intensity and size of the bubbles are determined by the amount of carbonation. If the champagne has no bubbles, open a new bottle. The bubble pattern is crucial. In good champagne, bubbles burst at the surface. In lower-quality champagne, they burst before reaching the surface. Whether the bubbles rush around crazily or elegantly rise to the top doesn't matter.
2. Listening
The hissing and crackling of the bubbles add an extra festive touch. The louder the bubbles, the more carbonation the champagne has. The opening of a champagne bottle already reveals its quality. If you hear a loud pop when uncorking the champagne, it has a high carbonation level. Champagnes with fine bubbles are often of higher quality.
3. Smelling
Champagnes have different aromas, and you can detect various notes. Hold a champagne glass by the stem, not the bowl. Insert your nose a little into the glass and take a brief sniff. Different scents can be distinguished, depending on the age of the champagne and the grape variety. If the champagne has no aroma, there's a good chance it's not in good condition.
4. Taste the Champagne
After smelling, it's time to taste the champagne. Take a sip and let it circulate in your mouth. If you have more champagnes to taste or if you're driving, spit out the champagne. No plans? Enjoy your glass of bubbles. The longer the aftertaste, the better the champagne is.
If you don't finish the champagne bottle at once, also learn how and for how long you should store champagne.
Serving Tips
For some occasions, it's fun to add a little more variety. There are plenty of ways to make your champagne even more sparkling. Polish the champagne flutes, pop the champagne, and let your inspiration flow with something delightful.
We're giving you a few variation tips!
Champagne with Strawberries
Surprise your loved one on Valentine's Day or treat mothers on Mother's Day with delightful champagne and strawberries. Loving, festive, and a tad romantic. Take a good demi-sec champagne and add a strawberry to the glass. The slightly sweet champagne with a ripe strawberry is a perfect combination.
Champagne with Lime and Mint
Looking for a refreshing aperitif? Champagne with lime and mint is a flavorful combination for a summer evening. The sun is setting, the garden fireplace is cozy, and sipping on a good glass of champagne with fresh lime and mint. Enjoy! Just a slice of lime and a small sprig of mint can create a refreshing champagne.
Champagne with Ice
On a summer day, seek coolness. A sparkling glass of champagne can help, but a glass of champagne with ice can be even more delicious. However, not all champagnes are suitable for adding ice. Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial is the champagne meant to be enjoyed with ice. Pour champagne into a champagne glass and add three ice cubes. Add some raspberries, strawberries, or lime.
Also, check out our champagne cocktails. We've listed the six most delicious champagne cocktails for you.