1. When opening champagnes or sparkling wines, the most important thing to remember is KEEP THE CORK UNDER CONTROL. Be certain to NEVER POINT THE BOTTLE TOWARD ANYONE OR ANYTHING BREAKABLE, always keeping the bottle at a 45 degree angle--propping the bottle on your hip helps you hold it securely.
2. Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
3. Place the corner of the napkin over the top of the bottle and place your thumb on top of the napkin.
4. Loosen the wire hood.
5. Flip the corner of the napkin down, encircle the tip of the cork with your thumb and forefinger, grasp the bottom of the bottle with your other hand and TWIST THE BOTTLE-NOT THE CORK. The pressure in the bottle will force the cork from the bottle.
6. When pouring the wine, do not wrap the bottle in a napkin or towel because guests may wish to see the label and also, wrapping the bottle gives you less control of the bottle.
   
   When pouring sparkling wine or champagnes, pour until the froth nearly reaches the rim of the glass, stop, wait a moment until the froth subsides, then continue pouring to the 1/2 to 2/3 level. When pouring either still or sparkling wines, giving the bottle a slight twist as you lift it from the glass will prevent drips. Just a little practice will make you a pro.
   

By law, persons buying or receiving alcohol must be at least 21 years of age.

Select Vintage - Personalized Gifts of Fine Wine & Champagne
Avalon Mall - 2179 Fourth Street - White Bear Lake, Minnesota - 55110
Telephone: (651) 653-8717 Fax: (651) 762-5603
Outside Twin Cities Area - Toll-free: (877) 535-2436