The effervescence of Champagne and sparkling wine can enliven any occasion. Indulging on New Year's Eve is de rigueur, but sparkling wines are also enjoyed at weddings, birthdays, graduations--and plain old house parties. Unless you're a seasoned pro, popping the cork may seem a bit challenging: You may worry about spilling the wine or seeing the cork fly out and injure someone. The safe way to remove a cork involves more of a soft pop than a loud one. Your host will appreciate your suave technique, saving her home from stains, conserving the wine and safeguarding her guests.
Instructions
1. Chill the Champagne. Champagne tends to build up gas when it is stored at room temperature or warmer. Keeping the bottle cold is the first step in safely popping a cork. Store the bottle in a cold refrigerator and/or place it in a bucket filled with ice and water. It should feel very cold by the time you are ready to open it.
2. Remove the foil at the top of the bottle. This is a simple matter of unwrapping it.
3. Remove the wire cage at the bottle's top. Untwist the wire to remove the cage. To be especially safe, you may want to loosen the cage without removing it entirely. Corks have been known to pop out as soon as the cage is removed.
4. Grasp the cork with one hand and the base of the bottle with the other. Be sure the top of the bottle is facing away from the guests. You may wish to cover the top of the bottle with a small towel before you take hold of the cork.
5. Twist the bottle gently and slowly, maintaining a firm grasp on the cork. The twisting motion will encourage the cork to loosen.
6. Listen for the small pop and hiss. When the cork is opened, pressure is relieved and gas (carbon dioxide) starts to escape from the bottle. The escaping gas creates a slight hissing sound. When you hear it, you'll know your efforts have been successful.
Tags: bottle cold, bottle with, have been, popping cork