The Tradition of Sabrage: Is It Safe?

Pop. Fizz. Clink. Those are the familiar sounds of opening a bottle of Prosecco or Champagne, listening as the bubbly libation is poured into a class, and then enjoyed amongst friends with a celebratory “Cheers!” and the clinking of glasses.

When a bottle of bubbly is opened properly, that pop should barely be audible, and all you need is a simple flick of the wrist to release the cork. The “party trick” of sabering a bottle is not necessary, and not always very safe. It is not how we recommend opening SYLTBAR, or any bottle of Prosecco or Champagne for that matter.

The History of Sabrage

Sabrage is the act of sabering a bottle of sparkling wine, which is when someone uses a saber — that is not super sharp, but actually rather dull — or any object that is similar to this shape and thickness to open the bottle by applying a quick swipe of pressure to the bottle neck which causes the cork to fly off.

The art of sabering a bottle of Champagne has a rich history dating back to the days of Napoleon Bonaparte. According to legend, during one of his many battles, Napoleon and his troops celebrated their victory with Champagne. Instead of using a corkscrew, Napoleon used his sword to cut off the top of the bottle. This impressive feat soon caught on and became a popular way to open Champagne bottles.

Why We Don’t Recommend Sabrage

As impressive as it may seem, sabering a bottle of Champagne can be quite dangerous, especially if the person doing it is not careful or doesn’t have the right experience. Here are a few reasons why we strongly advise against sabering your bottle of Mr Premium Prosecco and Mrs Sparkling Rosé.

The pressure from the carbonation in the bottle can cause the glass to shatter, which could potentially cause serious injury. Additionally, there is always that chance that microscopic shards of glass can fall into the bottle, and then end up at the bottom of your wine glass.

Aside from the potential hazards from the glass, think about what actually happens after sabering the bottle: the cork flies off and you don’t always know which direction it is going to go or where it will land. If the cork hits someone or something at such a quick speed, it could absolutely hurt or cause damage to an object.

How To Properly Open Prosecco

If you want to impress your guests at your next dinner party, there are much safer ways to open a bottle of Champagne or Prosecco.

While sabering a bottle may seem like a fun and daring party trick, it's important to keep safety in mind. Stick to the tried and true methods of opening your bottles of sparkling wine, and enjoy it in a way that's both safe and delicious.

Opening a bottle of Prosecco without making a loud noise is an important part of keeping your sparkling wine experience in a much more classy and sophisticated manner. The first step is to make sure the bottle is cold. The colder the bottle, the less pressure there will be inside, which reduces the likelihood of a loud pop. We recommend keeping your bottle of Mr and Mrs at 45-49 °F. We like to use an ice bucket to chill bottles to the perfect temperature. The secret is to fill it with half ice and half water.

Once you have made sure your bottle is the correct temperature, remove the foil and loosen the wire cage that fits over the cork. With the bottle angled at a 45-degree angle, gently twist the bottle, not the cork, and ease the cork out of the bottle. It’s important to go slowly and listen for the sound of the cork easing out of the bottle.

If you hear a pop, that means the bottle was opened too quickly and the bubbles may have escaped. If the cork is difficult to remove, hold the cork in place and twist the bottle slowly back and forth until the cork comes out with a gentle hiss. Lastly, pour the Prosecco slowly into a wine glass, holding the bottle vertically and pouring slowly down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles intact. We highly recommend a white wine glass instead of a champagne flute to enhance the wine’s flavors and aromas.

It’s important to not fill the glass too quickly, as this can cause bubbles and wine to spill — and we never want to waste any Mr and Mrs. By following these steps, you can enjoy a glass of Prosecco in a sophisticated and elegant way, without any of the noise or mess that comes with a loud pop.

SYLTBAR is here to offer the best tips and tricks that allow you to enjoy your Happy Healthy Daily Juice in the best way possible. Shop for our low-sugar, low-calorie, vegan wines online or use our store locator to locate a retailer in your area that sells our wines.