The art of Sabrage is a technique that is used for opening a bottle of Champagne with a sabre – usually on ceremonial occasions. It involves sliding the sabre along the body of the bottle with the blunt side up, in a perfectly nice rhythm, breaking the top of the neck away, leaving it open and ready to pour!
The technique first came to light in France when the army of Napoleon were celebrating spectacular victories across all of Europe. The cavalry would open the bottle with their sabres during these celebrations, with Napoleon known to have said… “Champagne! In victory, one deserves it; in defeat one needs it!”
SEE how it is done, after a demonstration at our Tasting Dinner on 23rd August 2016!
Leave a comment