Opening Sparkling Wine

Popping the Cork

 Films abound with images of champagne corks popping. But flying corks are dangerous, and that foam pouring out of the bottle is precious wine being lost. Real pros ease the cork from the bottle with a controlled “sigh.”

Point the bottle away from you (and anyone else you care about!) and hold the cork and the neck of the bottle in one hand. Keep your thumb on top of the cork. With the other hand, unwind and loosen the wire cage. Continue to hold the cork firmly while you twist the bottle (not the cork). The cork will ease itself out almost effortlessly.