How to Open Champagne Like a Pro

As 2020 draws to a close, many people are getting ready to ring in 2021 with friends or family. Though the celebrations this year may be smaller, it’s not a New Year’s celebration without champagne! Popping a bottle of bubbly can be a little scary for some. The large cork and the anticipation of the “pop” can be exciting for those waiting for a glass, but our Cleveland movers know that to the person opening the bottle, it can be intimidating. That is why we want to share some tips on how to open champagne this New Year’s Eve.

Tips for Opening Champagne

Impress your friends or family this year after learning how to open champagne like a pro! Our local movers in Cleveland can tell you all there is to know about preparing champagne and opening it the right way for the perfect glass.

Chill the bottle first.

Champagne is not a drink you want to serve warm. Make sure to keep your bottle in the fridge for a few days or hours before opening it. The colder the bottle, the better for opening champagne, because there is less pressure on the cork when you pop it! So, if the “pop” makes you nervous, you can eliminate it by making sure your bottle of champagne is really cold.

Aim the bottle of Champagne away from you when opening.

It goes without saying that opening champagne can be dangerous and sometimes messy. A best practice when opening a bottle is to make sure that it is pointed away from you, anyone near you, and any glass or windows – in case the cork goes flying.

Have something close by to clean up any mess.

If you are looking to make your opening special, you can shake the bottle of champagne to have it waterfall. Just make sure you have some cleaning products on hand to wipe up what falls before it turns into a sticky mess.

How to Open Champagne

Opening champagne is very similar to opening a bottle of wine. Our Cleveland residential movers have listed some step by step instructions you will want to follow if it is your first time opening a bottle of champagne on your own.

Step 1: Chill the champagne.

As mentioned, the colder the bottle, the less pressure on the cork. Make sure your bottle has been chilled for at least an hour before opening champagne.

Step 2: Remove the foil.

Most bottles of champagne have a tab to pull that will help remove the foil from the bottle top. If your bottle doesn’t have a tab, a foil cutter will do the trick.

Step 3: Remove the cage.

To keep the cork from popping off, there is a metal cage under the foil, on top of the cork. Untwist the bottom of the cage to remove it, exposing the cork, before opening your bottle of champagne.

Step 4: Open the bottle of champagne.

To make sure your cork doesn’t go flying, use a kitchen towel when opening champagne. Simply place the towel over the cork and hold the bottle of champagne in one hand and the towel and cork in the other.

Tilt the bottle at a 45° angle away from you and grip the cork tightly under the towel. Next, while still holding the cork, twist the bottle slowly to open it. If you feel like the cork is coming out faster than expected, slow down the twist of the bottle until you hear the “pop” or fizz of the cork.

Our team of professional movers wishes you a healthy and happy New Year. We are not only here to teach you how to open champagne but also to provide you with an excellent move. If you are planning a move this year or next, contact us for a free, no-obligation quote!