How to Pour Champagne Perfectly (6 Easy Steps & Tips)

by Anthony Zhang

Who doesn’t want to celebrate a milestone with a festive Champagne toast, right?

But at some point, you may have underestimated the power of Champagne bubbles and experienced an eruption of foam in your Champagne glass.

If you want to drink your bubbly (as opposed to wearing it), we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll explain how to pour Champagne, how to hold a Champagne bottle to pour, how to pour Champagne at an angle, and some cool extra tips.

How to Pour Champagne the Right Way

Here’s the simplest, most elegant way to pour Champagne:

Step 1: Remove the foil and wire cage, and twist off the cork

Before serving Champagne, you must open the Champagne bottle correctly.

With one hand, hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle. With the other, tear off the foil around the bottle’s neck.

Next, remove the wire cage while holding down the cork. To do that, just twist the wire about six half-turns.

Hold a napkin or serviette around the Champagne cork to prevent the cork from flying off. Then, slowly twist the bottle as you tilt the Champagne cork until the cork pops.

Step 2: Hold the bottle correctly

Too much movement will cause the Champagne to foam excessively and spill over. You’d want to avoid this, since you’re serving Champagne, not beer.

You should hold the bottle still at a 45-degree angle for a few seconds so all the pressure releases.

Step 3: Hold the glass correctly

Next, hold the Champagne glass by the stem using your non-dominant hand.

But do you tip the glass when pouring Champagne?

Yes, tilting the glass at a 45-degree angle towards the bottle will provide you with more stability.

Step 4: Press your thumb into the bottom of the Champagne bottle

You’ll notice each Champagne bottle has a large indent (known as a punt) at the bottom.

Place your thumb into the punt while you spread your fingers around the bottle’s base. This helps you maintain a good grip while pouring.

Step 5: Tilt the bottle and slowly pour the Champagne

Finally, hold the base of the bottle, tip it slightly and pour the drink into your wine glass.

Here’s how to pour the perfect glass of Champagne:

Pour slowly: Let the Champagne touch the side of the glass as it flows out of the bottle. This will prevent a buildup of foam and the loss of precious tiny bubbles.

Pour a small amount into the glass and wait a few seconds: Once you’ve poured about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of Champagne in the glass, tilt the bottle back and stop the flow. This pause allows the effervescence to subside, preventing excessive foam formation in the glass.

Continue pouring slowly: This will prevent the glass from overflowing.

Fill the glass halfway: This allows the aroma to fill the top half of the glass.

3 Essential Tips for Pouring Champagne

While you’re perfecting your pouring technique for your next soiree, here’s what you need to remember:

1. Serve Champagne at the Right Temperature

In the sealed bottle, the dissolved CO2 escapes as a gas when the cork is popped. Serving Champagne at room temperature will cause the carbon dioxide pressure to build up, and the cork will burst open.

To reduce this pressure, you have to chill your sparkling wine.

Consider chilling Champagne at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7-8 degrees Celsius) before you pour it. Chill non vintage Champagne in the fridge for four hours and vintage Champagne for three hours.

What about between servings?

A “Champagne tower” of glasses may look great, but it isn't a good idea to pour your Champagne into glasses long before serving and leave them at room temperature.

Instead, keep the opened Champagne bottle on ice in an ice bucket. This will preserve the Champagne’s aroma and taste for longer.

2. Avoid Shaking The Champagne Bottle

Shaking the sparkling wine bottle will result in spillage, and the cork might pop with force.

If you accidentally shake the bottle, leave it aside for an hour to let the carbon dioxide settle before opening.

This applies to all sparkling wine styles like Prosecco and Cava as well.

3. Have Your Champagne Glass Ready For Serving

Whether you’re creating a decadent Champagne cocktail or enjoying the bubbly as is, ensure you properly clean your glassware.

You may be using a coupe glass, Champagne flute, or even a tulip glass. Whichever you choose, wash your Champagne glass by hand and let it dry naturally.

Handwashing is best because dishwashers leave behind traces of soap on the wine glass surface, which can alter the effervescence (formation of the Champagne bubbles.)

Make The Most of Your Champagne Experience

Now that you know how to pour Champagne properly, consider exploring the different

varieties and choose the right one for you from the Champagne region.

If you’re looking for a bottle of decadent Champagne for your next celebration or your cellar, you can find some of the finest vintages on the Vinovest platform.