How to Properly Open a Bottle of Sparkling Wine

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Chill the bottle well prior to opening.

   A bottle that is not properly chilled will push the cork out on its own and will foam up and out of the bottle aggressively, making a mess and wasting wine.
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   Step 2: Locate a dish

   Use it to dry off the bottle, if wet from being chilled. , Keep the bottle pointed away from you and others. , The cork may be pushed out by the pressure any time after the basket is loosened, so apply firm pressure with your thumb on the top of the basket.
   
   If your wine was adequately chilled, the cork will rarely if ever get pushed out on its own. , While holding the cork steady, firmly twist the bottle with your right hand.
   
   It is most comfortable to do this with the bottle held at a 45 degree angle and balanced on your side or hip. ,,,,
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   Step 3: or serving towel.

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   Step 4: Grasp the neck of the bottle with four fingers of your left hand (if right-handed) and place your thumb over the top of the basket.

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   Step 5: Twist the retaining wire on the wire cage six half-turns counter-clockwise.

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   Step 6: Either leaving the wine cage on the cork or removing it

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   Step 7: put your thumb on top of the cork and grasp it with the rest of your hand.

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   Step 8: If you do not feel the cork loosening

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   Step 9: pull with increasing pressure on the cork with your left hand while still rotating the bottle with your right hand.

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    Step 10: When the cork starts to come out

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    Step 11: slow its exit with your left thumb

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    Step 12: allowing it to barely pop out.

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    Step 13: The goal of this operation is to barely make a sound when the cork comes out.

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    Step 14: Pour the wine into clean Champagne flutes.

Detailed Guide

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