How to Pour Champagne Properly…

How to Pour Champagne Properly…

If you love fizzy wine anywhere near as much as we do, you might be as shocked as we were to discover that we’ve been pouring fizz all wrong – and it’s all to do with the way you hold your glass, apparently. If you’re one of those drinkers who holds their glass straight OR tilts it too much then stop it this instant.

According to Asda‘s Chief Wine Buyer, Ed Betts, the secret is to “tilt the glass to a 45 degree angle”. He revealed that this is the safest way to make sure you don’t waste any fizz. “It will not only make you look like a pro, but it will also ensure the glass doesn’t fill with bubbles too quickly.”

Our favourite Champagne tips:

Another thing to avoid? Filling your glass up too quickly. “Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t pour the Prosecco or sparkling wine in one go. Start with a splash, then wait for the bubbles to settle before filling up the glass. Remember though, only fill the glass ¾ full to avoid spillage,” says Betts.

“The best things come to those who wait though, so stay patient and watch the bubbles settle before filling the glass up,” he added.

Another tip for if you’re pouring more than one glass at a time, say at a drinks party is to wet each glass by putting a splash of champagne in each one before pouring. You can do this ahead of time and so when it comes to topping up the glass, it doesn’t bubble nearly as much.

But our top tip, for a straightforward open with no wastage (our preferred option – no one likes seeing good Champagne wasted!).  You twist the bottle, not the cork.  Take off the cork cover and wire mesh, twist the cork just enough to loosen it and then hold the bottle and twist it while holding the cork firmly.  Slowly the cork should start to come loose. Go slowly and keep twisting. Resist the temptation to yank it out.  Eventually, depending on how fizzed up the bottle is, the cork should come out with a dull ‘phut’ – you’re now good to go.