How to Serve Champagne in a Glass

Champagne is ideally served at 45 degrees in crystal champagne flutes.

Champagne is practically a necessity when it comes to celebrations and toasting for both the taste and appearance. Champagne signifies luxury and special occasion and usually a good quality Champagne runs at a significantly higher price tag than many affordable good quality wines. Therefore, serving Champagne properly is of the utmost importance as to ensure that it is enjoyed to its fullest potential. The type of glass, temperature of the bottle and method of pouring all contribute to a well or poorly served glass of Champagne.

Things You'll Need

• Champagne flutes
• Champagne
• Ice bucket
• Clean towels

Instructions

1. Choose your glasses. Traditional Champagne glasses are tall clear-glass flutes or tulip-lipped glasses. Champagne flutes come in a variety of straight and tall or shorter and slightly more curvy; both varieties are appropriate. The flute can be either glass or crystal; the only advantage of a crystal flute is that the surface is rougher and therefore allows more bubbles to stick to the sides of the glass. As with wine glasses, never chill or ice the glass before serving. Keep all glasses at room temperature.

2. Chill the Champagne. Champagne is best served at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and while refrigerator cooling is the easiest method, most refrigerators are kept at a temperature well below 45 degrees. If refrigerating, leave in the fridge for no more than four hours. A safer and yet more attractive way to serve the Champagne is to chill it in an ice bucket filled with both water and ice for about half an hour. Never put the bottle in the freezer even if time is pressing.

3. Open the bottle both safely and without making a mess. Remove the foil only enough so that the wire twists are exposed. Place your thumb tightly on the cork to keep it from popping and twist off the wire cap. Move towards the Champagne glasses and position yourself ready to fill the first glass as soon as the cork is removed. Wrap a clean towel around the neck of the bottle and tilt it away from you. Gently easy the cork out with your hand over it to prevent it from popping.

4. Pour the Champagne into each prepared flute about 1 inch high. After you have inched all of the glasses, return to top them off. This keeps the glasses from spilling over the top while providing everyone with a full glass. Serve the glasses.

References

• Into Wine: How to Serve Champagne