How do you saber a bottle of Champagne?

New Year's Eve is just around the corner. Fireworks are on their way out, but that doesn't mean you can't start the new year with a bang. What could be better than kicking off the occasion by sabering a bottle of Champagne , Franciacorta , Cava , or Crémant ?

What is Sabering?

"What's sabering?" you might be wondering. Chances are you've seen it before. Opening a bottle of bubbly, but not by twisting or popping the cork. No, by knocking the top off the bottle. You can do this with a saber, a kitchen knife (with the blunt side facing the cork), a glass, or even a watch. I wouldn't recommend the latter, but it can be done. In principle, almost any hard object will work.

The origin of sabering

Sabering originated in the early 19th century, during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte . Officers of the French cavalry celebrated their victories with champagne, but often lacked the time, patience, or both hands free to open a bottle properly. So, with their sabers, they cut the neck of the bottle in one fluid motion.

Champagne houses cleverly capitalized on this. The bottles were made of thicker glass, the pressure was higher, and the fracture line was predictable, making sabering not only spectacular but also surprisingly effective. The ritual became a symbol of victory, luxury, and festivity.

To this day, sabering is considered the ultimate way to mark a special moment. Not because it's required, but because it's possible and because it makes an impression.

You can learn to saber

How exactly do you do that? Essentially, it's a trick that's relatively easy to perform, provided you follow a few key guidelines.

1. Not every bubble is suitable

Safety is paramount. You don't want shards of glass in your drink, and to prevent that, there must be sufficient pressure in the bottle so that the neck breaks cleanly and the glass is propelled. Therefore, sabering is not suitable for Prosecco, Satèn, or non-alcoholic sparkling wine .

2. Pay attention to the direction

Safety is paramount here, too. Never aim at people. A piece of glass propelled with force can cause serious damage. Ideally, do this outdoors. Indoors, be extra careful not to saber at glass, televisions, pets, lamps, or other fragile objects.

3. The bottle must be very cold

And I mean really cold, especially the neck. Place the bottle in the freezer for about 45 minutes beforehand. The lower temperature ensures a tighter break.

4. Remove the foil around the neck

You want the object to glide smoothly over the bottle; this makes it easier. While this isn't necessary, it is helpful for the next step.

5. Find the bottle's fusion seam

Every glass bottle consists of two halves fused together. This seam runs vertically across the bottle. Find the most upright side of this seam; you'll need to go over that to ultimately reach the top.

6. Remove the muselet

That's the metal wire basket that holds the cork in place. Unscrew it completely and remove it. Again, it's not necessary, but it does make things easier. Or, as in the image above, secure it one edge higher.

7. Hold the bottle firmly

Hold the bottle at the bottom with one hand, pointing it slightly away from you. With your other hand, slide your chosen object along the seam, over the neck, toward the cork.

8. Pop!

If you are using a saber or kitchen knife, you can briefly hold the blade over the opening after sabering to dampen any foam that may rise.

Disclaimer

Sabering is a spectacular way to open a bottle of sparkling wine, but always do so at your own risk. Ensure you maintain a safe distance, never aim at people or animals, and only use suitable, well-chilled bottles. Perfecte Wijn accepts no liability for any damage or injury resulting from this technique.