How To Store And Serve Champagne
The bubbles show the age of the wine. Over the years the bubbles willgradually become smaller and smaller."
Champagne: still the drink that shouts (calmly and with upper class restraint) luxury and celebration like no other. However, most of us quite probably aren't enjoying our Champagne correctly. Seriously, if you're going to pay a substantial amount for a bottle of decent fizz, you should really know the correct temperature to store it in. With this in mind, we spoke to Bollinger, easily the world's coolest Champagne purveyor (if it's fine by James Bond, then it'll, quite frankly, do for us) to receive the ultimate guide to enjoying your bubbles the right way.
1. How To Chill Champagne
First off, never, ever in the freezer: you'll kill the bubbles. If you're going for a champagne bucket, a bottle plunged into a mixture of water and ice should reach the right temperature in 30 minutes. Should you be storing in a fridge, lie the bottle down on the bottom shelf for three hours before serving.
2. What Is The Right Temperature?
Champagne is best drunk chilled but never iced. Over-chilling will mean that the wine is too cold to release its aromas and flavours. The younger and livelier the Champagne, the cooler it should be served (ideally, 8ºC). A mature of vintage Champagne will be perfect at 10ºC.
3. Opening A Bottle
Remove the foil and then six half turns anti-clockwise will release the metal cage. Then, hold the cork in the palm of your hand and twist the bottle holding it at the bottom.
4. How To Store A Bottle Correctly
Store horizontally in a cool, dry and dark place to maintain the quality of the Champagne. Be aware that most non-vintage Champagnes are released at the optimum time of drinking so may not be suitable for ageing.
5. The Bubbles: What The Show
The bubbles show the age of the wine. Over the years the bubbles will gradually become smaller and smaller. However, you should not worry about the lack of bubbles in aged Champagne. This simply means it is mature, rather than flat.
6. The Spoon Myth
Contrary to popular belief, a silver spoon placed in the neck of the
bottle does nothing to preserve the wine’s effervescence. Only a proper Champagne stopper is the truly effective way of preserving the wine’s sparkle for up to 24 hours after opening.
7. How To Serve Champagne
Tilt the glass at 45 degrees and pour down the inside of the glass until two-thirds full.
8. What Glass To Use
The ideal glass is tulip-shaped, the Champagne saucer or ‘coupe’ is one to avoid as the aromas and bubbles have too much space and are soon lost into the air. The thickness of the glass also has a role to play, especially on the lips where its finesse heightens our sense of taste.
9. How To Wash The Glass
Make sure there are no traces of washing-up liquid, it can affect the bubbles. Rinse the glasses in hot water, let them drain until dry, then store them upright sheltered from dust.
10. And Finally... How To Taste Champagne
Look at the colour, admire the different shades of gold or pink. Observe the bubbles dancing -- they should be light, lively and generous. Inhale the bouquet, slowly and at length. Try and recognise aromas of fruits or flowers, or richer smells such as brioche, vanilla, spices. Finally, taste the wine. Keep it in your mouth for a few seconds and you will uncover the true nature of your Champagne: smooth or fullbodied, delicate or complex.
