How to Open Champagne

Video Transcript

"Nothing quite says celebration like champagne. However, champagnes can be somewhat expensive. You have a number of different options when selecting a champagne to celebrate with. You can go with the half bottle, which will often give you a glass and a half to two glasses a piece. And an opportunity for two people to enjoy themselves rather well. You can go for a mid level champagne. Like this one here, which will run you forty five to fifty dollars in your local liquor store. Or you can splurge and go with the fine champagnes which will run in the hundreds of dollars. If etiquette dictates a more informal celebration, there are many none champagne options that are very fun for those occasions. One being a sparkling brute from Australia, another might be a sparkling Rosae, from Spain, or even a sparkling Shiraz from Australia. There are a lot of different sparkling options, so please don't just limit yourself to champagne. As exciting and dramatic as it is to see a bottle of champagne popped open with champagne splashing everywhere and the cork flying out, it's also very dangerous. Let's look at the proper way to open a bottle of champagne. Remove the foil. And then at this point, you want to cover the top of the bottle with a napkin, and hold the cap with your thumb. At the same time, wrap your arm, or your hand around the bottle neck. Lower the wire cage, unscrew it. Now, still holding the top down, cover the top of the bottle with the napkin. And very slowly begin to work the cork out. Opened properly, there should be very, very little sound and absolutely no liquid. And now you're ready to enjoy your sparkling wine."