Sabrage

Sabling the Champagne bottle

Champagne sword

Bouchons de champagne sabrés

Sabrage is a technique for opening a champagne bottle with a sabre, typically used for ceremonial occasions. The wielder slides the saber along the body of the bottle to break the top of the neck away, leaving the bottle open and ready to pour.

History

The tradition of sabrage is believed to have started during the Napoleonic Wars when the Hussars, a light cavalry unit in the French Army, celebrated their victories by opening champagne bottles with their sabres. Napoleon Bonaparte is often quoted as saying, "Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it."

Technique

The technique involves the following steps:

1. Chill the champagne bottle to around 45°F (7°C).
2. Remove the foil and wire cage from the bottle.
3. Hold the bottle at a 30 to 45-degree angle, pointing away from people and fragile objects.
4. Locate one of the two seams running up the side of the bottle.
5. Slide the saber along the seam towards the lip of the bottle with a firm, swift motion.

The pressure inside the bottle (typically around 90 psi) ensures that any glass shards are expelled from the bottle along with the cork.

Safety Considerations

While sabrage can be a spectacular way to open a bottle of champagne, it is important to take safety precautions:

• Ensure the bottle is properly chilled to reduce the risk of shattering.
• Always point the bottle away from people and fragile objects.
• Use a proper champagne saber designed for sabrage.

Cultural Significance

Sabrage is often performed at celebratory events such as weddings, anniversaries, and other significant milestones. It is also a popular practice in the world of sommeliers and wine enthusiasts.

Related Techniques

• Champagne tapping: A method of opening a champagne bottle by tapping the cork with a spoon.
• Champagne cork removal: The traditional method of opening a champagne bottle by hand.

See Also

• Champagne
• Napoleonic Wars
• Hussars
• Sommelier

Related Pages

• Champagne
• Napoleonic Wars
• Hussars
• Sommelier