Ever Wonder? What's the Best Way to Open a Bottle of Sparkling Wine?

For a lot of people, half the fun of opening a bottle of sparkling wine is popping the cork such that it flies across the room. Or an even more dramatic way is using a saber to knock the top off the bottle. And, the big spray that goes flying out of the bottle! It’s all so dramatic!

But, if you have a really nice bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne that you’re actually looking forward to drinking, there’s a better way to open that bottle.

You actually don’t want that big explosion when opening sprinkling wine. When that happens, as shown in the photo, it rapidly releases a lot of the trapped gas (CO2) from the bottle which makes it go flat faster. Not to mention the amount of sparkling wine that ends up on the floor or ground and not in your glass.

So, here’s the best way to open sparkling wine that retains the fizz and leaves you with the whole bottle to enjoy.

Once you’ve removed the foil from the top of the bottle, grab the neck of the bottle with your four fingers and place your thumb over the cork and wire cage. Untwist the wire cage with your thumb still on top of it and the cork. Now, just slightly move your index finger up along with your thumb to grab hold of the cork and basket. Keeping one hand on top to hold the cork, grab the bottle by the base with your other hand. Then, with a good grip on the cork, twist the base of the bottle with the other hand. As you twist the bottle, allow the cork to slowly extract from the bottle by giving it a little wiggle such that when it fully extracts you either hear nothing (perfect!) or just a faint puff.

There you go! It may take a little practice. But this is a great way to ensure that you get to safely enjoy the whole bottle of sparkling wine. Cheers!

Some Fun Facts about Your Champagne for New Year's Eve

Here are some fun facts about Champagne as we head towards New Year’s Eve:

  • Champagne is not made from Champagne grapes

  • Champagne is typically produced from three grapes — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (Yes! A red wine grape!) and Pinot Meunier (another red grape)

  • To be called Champagne, it must be produced in the Champagne region of France. Otherwise, it’s called Sparkling Wine

  • An exception to the above rule is that California can produce “Champagne” – such as Korbel, Cook’s or André – and it is perfectly legal to be called Champagne. The loophole that makes this legal stems from a ruling in 2005, after two decades of court battles, when the U.S. and the EU reached an agreement. In exchange for easing trade restrictions on wine, the American government agreed that Champagne would no longer appear on domestic wine labels – that is, unless a producer was already using the name

  • The first step in making Champagne is to make the wine, like any other wine, in a barrel or tank and bottle it

  • The wine gets its bubbles from a second fermentation inside the bottle that is initiated by adding a solution of sugar and yeast. As the yeast consumes the sugar, it gives off carbon dioxide which stays trapped in the sealed bottle and ‘dissolves’ into the liquid

  • Champagne bottles are stored with their neck down during the second fermentation so that the yeast will settle in the neck

  • The upside-down bottles are regularly turned to ensure all the yeast ends up in the neck of the bottle in a process called riddling

  • The Champagne bottle is then opened and the spent yeast is removed or disgorged

  • Finally, some additional wine and sugar is added (the dosage) to balance the Champagne’s acidity

  • This process of making Champagne is called the méthode champenoise

  • Champagnes are generally categorized as: Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Demi Sec and Doux. All of this depends on sugar levels

    Cheers to enjoying a bit of the bubbly this New Year’s Eve and throughout the year!

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Blanc de Noir

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2013 Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir ($55)

Here’s just the bubbly for the holidays.

This Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir (one of the components of French Champagne). It is fermented in 100% Stainless Steel to preserve the bright flavors then aged by the Méthode traditionnelle (bottle fermented) for 4.5 years.

Left Coast states that “This wine will deliver your pallet on a journey of crisp acidity, an array of flavors of apple and pear accented with floral notes and summer grasses, and rounding off with a rich, yeasty and subtle finish.”

Their Winemaker’s Tasting Notes say “This pale yellow sparkling wine displays aromas of yellow apple, subtle lavender and biscuit. This wine will deliver your pallet on a journey of crisp acidity, an array of flavors of apple and pear accented with floral notes and summer grasses, and rounding off with a rich, yeasty and subtle finish.”

I say this Left Coast Blanc de Noir is absolutely superb!

This is a limited production of just 135 cases. And, it received a score of 91 from Wine Enthusiast (Chosen as a “Celler Selection” for being a special bottle that will stand the test of tim). So, look carefully for this one and enjoy. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Left Coast Estate winery

Behind the Cork™ - Vilarnau Brut Reserva & Brut Reserva Rosé Cava

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Vilarnau Brut Reserva & Brut Reserva Rosé Cava ($14.99 each)

Cava is the sparkling wine of Spain and perfect for the holidays!

The Vilarnau Brut Reserva is made from the three base wines used to make Cava - Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. These wines are always made separately. The first fermentation takes place over 30 days followed by the blending. It then undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle.

The vilarnau Brut Reserva Rosé is made from Garnacha and Pinot Noir. These are also fermented separately, blended and undergo a second fermentation in the bottle.

Both of these delicious Cavas should be well chilled and go with most any foods. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications


Behind the Cork™ - Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG

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Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG ($19)

This Prosecco from Nino Franco was named #1 by Wine Enthusiast in their 2019 Enthusiast 100. And it’s $19. Need I say more!

This Enthusiast 100 is the best-of-the-best list. According to Wine Enthusiast “These wines are showstoppers in their own right and exemplifies a dazzling variety of wines available to consumers today. With selections from 16 countries and nearly every wine style—dry whites and reds, rosés, bubbles and beyond—there’s truly something for everyone. Boasting an average score of 93 points and an average price of $33, this is a list of the top wines to crack open and revel in right now.”

This Nino Franco Prosecco scored 94 points with Wine Enthusiast who described it as having “Aromas of white spring flower, Bartlett pear and citrus waft out of the glass. The racy, refreshing palate is full of energy, offering crisp yellow-apple, lemon drop and orange zest flavors balanced by vibrant acidity. A perlage of small, refined and continuous bubbles provides the silky backdrop.”

If you are looking for some bubbly for the holidays, look no further. This is the Wine Enthusiast 2019 #1. And the list is extremely impressive. Hope you can find this one. And, if you do, pick up a few bottles. It’s an amazing value! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers, Donna White Communications