As the holidays come to an end and we now approach the new year, what better way to say farewell to 2022 then by kicking off the new year with some champagne!
Elevate your New Year’s party by sabering your favourite bottle of champagne as the countdown hits 0!
What is a Champagne Saber?
A champagne saber is a ceremonial sword used for sabrage, the craft of opening a bottle by slicing off the bottle's neck with a saber sword. The tale of sabering one’s bottle is said to have started in the late 18th century by Napoléon & the Hussars following the French Revolution and their victory. It was Napoléon who was believed to have declared: “Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.”
And since then, Sabrage ceremonies have been common in Europe for centuries, and the practice has expanded worldwide for any occasion!
How to Saber Champagne
Although sabering your champagne may seem intimidating at first, once you get the hang of it, it’ll be hard not to open your bottles any other way!
There’s only 2 things you’ll need for the process: your bottle of choice and the saber (psssssttt… we recommend using a Vagnbys Champagne Saber).
Now, before you start, you would want to make sure you’ve had the bottle in the fridge for a few hours - if not overnight - before opening it, a cold bottle makes the glass more brittle and easier to break. Also make sure to have your champagne flutes nearby to quickly pour out the bubbly once the cork flies off!
Step One:
To begin, grasp the bottle firmly by the base with one hand, pointing it away from any bystanders. Once you’ve opened the bottle, who knows where that cork will fly off to!
Step Two:
Hold your bottle at a 45 degree, making sure your grip is comfortable, and that your fingers are in the clear of anywhere your saber will be wielded.
Step Three:
Find the vertical seam running up the side of the bottle to the lip. The intersection of the seam and the lip of the bottle is where you’ll need to aim to get a clean break.
Step Four:
Hold your saber flat against the bottle, with the blunt edge towards the lip. Glide your saber slowly back along the seam, towards your person. Then, quickly and firmly thrust your saber up along the seam, towards the bottle’s lip. Strike the lip sharply at a right angle.
Grab your champagne flutes and fill up your glasses generously as you toast off 2022 and welcome 2023!
