Article by Nathan Hall
If you need to know how to pop a bottle of champagne with a knife, get ready to practice, because we have a set of essential tricks just for this. First, we?re going to speak about preparing everything you need cracking the bottle the proper way. Next, we?re going to talk about popping the bottle in two different ways, using your knife.
It?s OK if you try to pop the bottle while reading this, so go buy a few champagne bottles to practice. You will likely pop some quite expensive champagne bottles with this technique so you should exercise with at least four bottles. First, go buy a crate of really low-priced champagne brands, and a normal-sized knife. The knife doesn't have to be big, but it should have a thick blunt side. It's recommended the bottles are chilled enough.
First step is taking out the protective foil, then we have two options : taking off the wire cage, or keeping it on. If you keep the wire, you have to agitate the champagne bottle really well to make pressure inside the bottle. If you take off the wire, it is fundamental to not agitate the bottle because the cork could come out when it is least expected. If you're doing this for the first time, choose the first alternative. It?s easier to pop and to practice it. Take a piece of dry cloth and clean the bottle. Make sure it?s not wet.
Observe the seam along the bottle. The line is where the 2 halves of the bottle join. Take the knife and position it on the seam. It must be with the blunt side ahead. Position the blade at a low angle with the bottle. If the angle is too large, you?ll likely fail the shot. When you?re set to take the first shot, hold the bottle in the left hand and with the other hand slide the kitchen knife hard with a rapid and powerful hit until the bottle opens. Ordinarily the tip of the bottle will crack and fly with the cork. Count the fact that each time you miss, the bottle shakes and the pressure level grows, so point the cork away at all times.
If you choose not to remove the wire cage then you?re going to need a stronger blow. Use a wider kitchen knife. Napoleon?s officers used their blades to open one of the most expensive champagne. If you have a blade or a spade, you?ll surely draw a lot of attention at your party. But for us, the everyday people, just stick to a regular knife.
This should be enough to get you started. Grab a few champagne bottles, pick the champagne brands carefully and start practicing. Practice makes perfect. We gave you the info, but it?s up to you to pop one of the most expensive champagne bottles at your party using a simple kitchen knife.