Champagne Tips

Contrary to popular belief, Champagne should not be opened so that the cork flies across the room, but rather so there is just a gentle popping sound. Give the cork three good twists to the left before trying to open the bottle.

When pouring, keep your thumb against the bottom of the bottle. This gives you more control.

Always use the tall narrow glass known as a flute. You want to keep the bubbles in as long as possible. The more bubbles a Champagne has, and the smaller the bubbles are, the better the quality.

Only the Champagne region of France produces real Champagne. Similar sparkling white wines from other parts of France or the United States are not real Champagnes, but sparkling wines.

The larger the bottle of Champagne, the better the quality. This is because Champagne, unlike other wines, ferments in the bottle.

If you find a Champagne you like, make a note of it or save the label.