It’s hard to imagine two things that belong together more than New Year’s Eve and bubbles. Peanut butter and jelly? Movies and popcorn? Jim and Pam? Whether you’re hosting a party, attending an event, or having a quiet celebration in, we hope bubbly is in your evening plans. And if you’ll be the lucky one choosing or pouring the sparkles, here are a few tips for doing both like a pro.  

 

By the way, if you want to know why we drink sparkling wine on New Year’s, check out this post on the history of Champagne, sparkling wine, and New Year’s Eve. To shop M Cellars sparkling wine, visit our online store.

 

Note the method

Sparkling wine is made in many different ways. The Champagne method — also known as the Method Champenoise or traditional method — which originated in the French region by the same name, is credited with producing the highest quality sparkling wine with the longest-lasting bubbles. In this method, secondary fermentation happens in the bottle. Only sparkling wine that comes from this region can be designated as Champagne, but look for the method noted on the label. All M Cellars sparkling wine is made in the traditional method, including our brand new, just-released 2020 Blanc de Blancs (available as a Wine Club member exclusive). 

 

Check the sweetness

To brut or not to brut? It all depends on your tastes, but it’s helpful to know the lingo. From driest to sweetest, it goes: 

  • Brut Nature
  • Extra Brut
  • Brut — classic for Champagne
  • Sec — dry
  • Demi-sec — off-dry 
  • Doux — typically served as a dessert wine

Check the label to see what matches your taste preferences or pairs well with the food you’ll be serving. At M Cellars, our Blanc de Blancs and Brut Rosé are both brut, showcasing the same level of sweetness as classic Champagne, while our Madelyn is off-dry or demi-sec.  

 

Chill your chosen bottle (or bottles)

The ideal temperature is around 47-50°F. If it’s too warm, the pressure in the bottle will be too high, and you could end up with an explosion. Too cold, and the wine won’t be able to release its flavors. Freezers aren’t a great idea; this could kill the bubbles in addition to muting flavors. Ice buckets are ideal, and a few hours in the fridge is just fine.  

 

Choose your glass

While a coupe or a flute might be aesthetically tempting, for the absolute best experience, we recommend a classic white wine glass. It provides enough extra space that your first sip is more than just bubbles, but not so much that your wine goes flat right after. Chilled glasses are great if you have the option. Learn more about choosing wine glasses in this post. 

 

Uncork like a pro

It’s fun and festive to pop bottles. But even more impressive is a skillfully uncorked bottle that makes little more than a hiss, with no wine wasted. Here’s how to do it. 

  • Start with a dry chilled bottle. 
  • Cut the foil below the large lip and then tear it away. 
  • Cover the top of the cage with a napkin or towel (for extra safety), hold the neck of the bottle and point the tip away from you at about 45°, keeping pressure on the cork with your thumb while untwisting the cage with the other hand until it’s loose. 
  • Now, grip the cork with one hand, and gently twist the bottle with the other. The pressure inside should help release the cork slowly and safely. 
  • Once opened, continue to hold the bottle at 45° for a few seconds for all the pressure to release. 
  • Accept “oohs” and “ahhhs” graciously.

 

Pour like one, too

Only one step left. Here’s how to pour the most delicious glass of sparkling wine imaginable, and look good doing it.

  • Hold the bottle near the base at a 45° angle with your dominant hand, placing your thumb in the punt (the divot at the bottom). If you need to, you can use the other hand to support the neck.
  • Try not to move it any more than necessary to prevent spillover or too much fizz.
  • You can pour directly into a glass, especially if you’re using two hands to pour. But if you can master the single-hand pour, you can use your free hand to hold the glass by the stem at an angle. This way, the wine pours down the side of the glass, which helps maintain bubbles. 
  • Pour a small amount, then stop. Let the fizz calm down for a moment, then continue pouring until finished, pausing as needed if the foam gets too high.
  • Hand the glass to its recipient so they can revel in your handiwork. 

 

There you have it — everything you need to sparkle with the best. There’s still time to get your M Cellars sparkling wine before the big night. See our offerings here. And have a safe and happy New Year!