Here's the Right Way to Open a Bottle of Champagne

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A bottle of champagne is almost always a sure sign that a celebration is underway. From toasting on New Year's Eve to making mimosas for brunch, everything about opening, serving, and sipping a bottle of bubbly feels festive. Popping that cork is the first step to get the party started, but do you know how to open champagne the right way? Hint: There actually shouldn't be a loud pop.

We're here to help with a few easy tips. First, disregard what you see in the movies—you don't want it spraying all over the place. As fun as that may seem, if you've gone through the trouble to select one of the best champagne brands, why would you want to waste it? And you definitely don't want the cork to go flying. That's so dangerous! Truth be told, you shouldn't have a loud pop at all if you're doing it right. (Sound crazy? Stick with us.) We've got all the details to demystify opening a bottle of sparkling wine, champagne or otherwise.

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Do you need to chill champagne?

Yes, you should chill your champagne. Not only does the wine itself taste better cold, but it actually helps the process of opening it easier. There is more pressure in the bottle in warm champagne, which will cause it to pop too easily, potentially making the cork fly and the wine spray all over. Aim for 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the fridge or put it in that pretty ice bucket you never get to use.

How do you open a champagne bottle without an opener?

Unlike opening a bottle of wine with a standard cork, you don't need a bottle opener. You are the wine opener, in fact. But it is handy to keep a wine key around, because the first thing you'll encounter is the foil. While most brands have a pull tab at the base of the foil, they usually aren't great, so use a wine key to remove that layer and expose the cage completely.

How do you open a champagne twist?

Do not untwist or remove the cage until you're ready to remove the cork and serve champagne cocktails. Remember, there is tremendous pressure built up in the bottle, so even when chilled, it's possible for that cork to go flying on its own. That metal twist that is connected to the cage helps keep the cork in place.

To untwist, place the bottle at a 45-degree angle and face away from other people for added safety. Hold the neck of the bottle in one hand with your thumb on top of the cage applying gentle pressure. Using your other hand, twist counterclockwise about six times and loosen the cage. Remove the cage to expose the cork and cover the top of the bottle with a kitchen towel or napkin.

What is the proper way to open champagne?

Okay, you're finally ready to pop the cork! Again, holding the bottle at the same 45-degree angle preferably away from your guests, use one hand to hold the towel-covered cork and begin gently twisting the bottle with the other hand. That's right—twist the bottle, not the cork.

You'll start to feel the cork loosen, so keep gentle pressure on it with the towel and your hand until it releases naturally. You should hear a hiss or a gentle pop when it comes out, not that super loud bang that is somehow synonymous with champagne. Congrats, you did it safely! Now it's time to serve.

How do you store an open champagne bottle?

Once you're done serving (and by the way, you can absolutely use regular white wine glasses rather than flutes!), you can rest the bottle back in the ice bucket to chill if the rest will be consumed rather quickly. If you want to store it for later, unfortunately, the original cork will be too large to place back in the bottle, and the bubbles will dissipate if not covered properly. But don’t fret! Just buy yourself an affordable champagne stopper to prevent leaks, keep the pressure, and save the bubbles for up to three days. Cheers! 🥂

How do I remove a stuck cork out of the bottle?

It happens to the best of us, right? If you find yourself with a stuck cork, the best way to remove it is to twist the bottle while applying gentle upward pressure on the cork. If that doesn't work, use a towel or rubber gloves to get a better grip and try twisting again. Just be sure to avoid using excessive force to prevent any spillage or injury.