NOW EXPERIENCING:How to open a bottle of Champagne (without breaking anything)
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How to open a bottle of Champagne (without breaking anything)

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Posted 11 Nov 2025

By
Emily Reed

Holding a bottle of sparkling wine

No mess, no fuss – a step-by-step to popping a cork like a pro. 

Does anyone remember being properly taught how to open a bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne? Unless you’ve spent time working in some upscale bars, the process might feel like a bit of a stab in the dark. There’s the fumbling with the foil wrap, figuring out which way that wire cage twists and don’t get us started on controlling the cork.

Well, your days of poppin’ bottles and having anyone in your vicinity shield their face in fear are over. Here’s how you should actually open a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine like a total pro in four easy steps. 

Step 1: Chill outIf you approach the bottle with a cool head and steady hands, you’ll nail it. But that’s not really the chill we’re referring to here – we’re talking about the temperature of the bottle. Chilling the contents right down not only improves the taste, but it will also make the bottle less likely to spray bubbly all over that nice new outfit you just purchased for the special occasion you’re celebrating.
Step 2: Unwrap itThere are two types of people in this world: those who used to furiously tear open their Christmas presents as a child, and those who carefully and oh-so-delicately removed the wrapping at snail’s pace. Take the delicate approach in this scenario. Put the bottle on the table for ample stability and, if you have a wine knife, use it to neatly cut around the foil before removing it. Or you can just use your hands if you’re not going for perfect edges. Be gentle and take your time – the anticipation before the ‘pop!’ is half the fun.
Step 3: Let’s twistThat little wire cage that sits on top of the bottle has one job: keeping the cork where it is. Before you go to remove this guy, ensure your thumb is placed over the cork and keep it there. You should be removing the wire cage moments before you’re ready to pop the bottle and pour it out – doing this too early could risk the bottle uncorking before you’re ready (it really can fly out without warning), and that’s a party pooper. Twist the cage handle roughly five to six times, using the hand that’s not holding the bottle, until it loosens. Keep it over the cork.
Step 4: Pop and pourOkay, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. When it comes time to remove the cork, keep one hand locked over the top of the cork and use the other hand to rotate the bottom of the bottle. That’s right – you twist the bottle, not the cork. A few rotations, some high-pitched squeals from your party guests, and hey presto – the cork should slide free with ease. If you’re opening the bottle for an extra-special occasion, you should traditionally be aiming for more of a ’sigh’ rather than a ’pop’ – this more restrained opening often comes from a gentle twist. 
Now that you can open a bottle of bubbles properly, want to know how it’s made? Read up on the process in this article.   
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image credits: Shelley Horan
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
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LearnSparklingWine 101DIY How toWineChampagne
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