How to Open a Bottle of Wine | You Won’t Expect This…

Opening a bottle of wine with a saber or knife is a great way to wow your guests, especially if you are planning a special event in your home, probably a birthday, Christmas, anniversary, or even a New Year’s Eve party. However, it’s very important to make sure that you open your wine bottle (these tips also work for opening a bottle of champagne) perfectly without hurting yourself. If you don’t know how to do this trick, then this guide is worth reading.

The best party trick everyone wants to learn! Our pals at We Drink Bubbles shares an easy way to open any champagne bottle.

First things first…THE RULES!

1. Get your champagne and the saber or knife that you prefer

You need to gather everything required in the entire process, including the glasses, your champagne bottle, of course, the weapon to use, and a clean, handy towel as well. Some champagne bottles can break easily and you may, therefore, need a blunt knife to open it.

2. Ensure your bottle is cold

The cold temperatures are meant to make the glass more brittle hence easy to break. Therefore you may consider leaving your champagne bottle in the refrigerator some hours before the occasion. Some people consider leaving the bottle in an ice basket, which is not recommended at all. This only cools the base of the champagne. You can remove the foil wrappings once it is cold.

3. Hold the bottle firmly pointing away from the congregation

You may hold the champagne at about 45 degrees for minimum spillage. You can then identify the vertical seam for a clean break.

4. Break the bottle

Hold the saber/knife firmly against the bottle. You can now run the knife back still along the seam identified earlier on to get enough thrust to open the champagne. After that, you can sharply strike the bottle aiming at the lip at about 70 or 60 degrees. Follow through completely hit the neck edges.

5. NEVER use cheap sparkling wine or prosecco

The pressure in the bottle isn’t enough to pop the top so you risk the glass breaking all over you. Here’s a list of champagne bottles that are not only perfect for sabering but taste really good.




Now for the fun part!
After you select a bottle of wine or champagne to open, all you need is a regular chef’s knife. Sharp or dull, heavy or light, anything will do.

Step 1 – Freeze Bottle for 15 Minutes
Place an already cold bottle of bubbles in the freezer 15 minutes before you will saber it. The reason for chilling the champagne bottle in the freezer is to make sure when it is sabered, you don’t lose a ton of the delicious bubbly! If you saber a bottle that is closer to room temperature, it will work fine, but you will lose quite a bit of the wine. *If you decide to put the champagne in the freeze, make sure to set a time! You do not want to forget about it in there, it will explode! 

Step 2 – Remove Foil Wrapper
Remove the foil wrapper around the neck of the champagne bottle completely. You will need a clean neck for the blade of the knife to slide along. Scrape off any remaining glue or residue it leaves as well.

Step 3 – Find the Seam
Next, you want to locate the seam of the champagne bottle. There are 2 (one on each side) and it is where the 2 halves of the bottles are fused together. It is subtle, but when you move the bottle around in the light, you will be able to locate the seam. This is where you will run your knife along to pop the top. This helps to prevent the glass from breaking.

Step 5 – Practice
Glide the knife gently up and down the seam of the bottle’s neck at a 45-degree angle. Just practice the motion a few times before you’re ready to commit and pop the top. You really want to focus on the edge of the knife hitting the lip of the bottle right in the corner.

Step 6 – Pop it!
Ready to let it fly? Okay, first and most important, remember to aim the bottle away from people and breakable items. Hold the knife (sharp side against the bottle) at a 45 degree angle. Commit to sabering and give the top a good solid hit, not like you are angry at the bottle, but enough to get solid contact. The cork will go flying and you’re ready to celebrate your victory of your first sabering of many more to come!

If you have any questions, please send me a DM. Cheers!

SHOP WE DRINK BUBBLES CHAMPAGNE GIFT SETS

*DISCLAIMER* Sabering a bottle of champagne can be dangerous, especially if done incorrectly so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be careful and try at your own risk.