Somewhere in the Hired Belly's past, in another life, in another land, there exists the indelible image of a shattered Regency ceiling centrepiece. For a young boy, the force with which the cork seemingly propelled itself from the Champagne bottle was remarkable-and the impressive destruction it wrought on my godfather's ceiling, indeed, proved to be the highlight of the Christmas holiday.
It may be hard to believe, but according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), improperly aimed popping of Champagne corks is one of the most common causes of holiday-related eye injuries. To be blunt, if you value your safety, or that of your guests-including their eyesight- here's a few crucial rules for opening any bottle of bubbly, be it a magnum of Moët or party favourite Segura Viudaie
. Chill and still-Let it sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
. Thumbs up-Keep your thumb firmly over the cork, even while carefully removing the cage. Better still, place a tea towel over the top.
. Twist, don't push-To open, hold the cork firmly with one hand and gently twist the bottle itself with the other, keeping it pointed away from anybody, including yourself. This way you'll have a controlled, safe opening-and you shouldn't spill any wine. And once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to impress your guests with just how quietly you actually do it.
WHAT TO BUY?
Obviously, it depends on your budget. However, nothing is quite as impressive as arriving at a small dinner party with a bottle of Big "C" Champagne- although, hopefully your hosts will (a) want to share and (b) have the right glasses (flutes) in which to pour it. And while it may be tempting to enjoy it on its own, as a celebration, all too often we forget that Champagne makes for wonderful food pairing.
A couple of serious festive picks that are also good for giving:
. Nicolas Feuillate Brut Rosé. Aside from tasting good (think strawberry and raspberry, definite pinot noir, notes with mouth filling elegance and length), this wine looks incredibly festive in the glass. Last week at C, they served it in a small bowl, which showed off the fruit beautifully, and the bubbles lasted surprisingly well. It was a slam dunk with seared Lake Babine salmon. BCLS $69.99.
. Louis Roederer Brut Premier. Lively mousse with apple and citrus notes, good acidity and a definite vinous quality, complex and layered, with great structure and length to finish. Think foie gras terrine or smoked salmon. BCLS $62.90.
Shop the lower end of the spectrum to find quite a few dependables:
. Yellow Tail Bubbles. Relaunched in a snappy new package, Bubbles is not complicated and is good quaffing for the dollars. A more off-dry style makes it an approachable crowd pleaser while the reclosable Zork top will keep it bubbly for at least a couple of days-should you have a problem finishing it. BCLS $12.99.
. Jaume Serra Brut Nature. Formerly known as "Crystalino," this is a great Cava deal, with some distinctive breadlike notes on top followed by citrus and floral on medium dry palate with good bubbles and surprising structure. Over delivers at $12-$14. Private Wine Stores.
. Pascual Toso Brut. Here's a good looking, reasonably priced sparkler from Argentina. At 100 per cent Chardonnay, it has a touch of apple, some creaminess and a soft finish. A perfect party wine. Private wine stores, including Marquis, $16.
. Jacob's Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir. Another excellent and highly affordable sparkler. Citrus, creamy and nutty notes in a drier style with a crisp finish. Great value at BCLS $11.99 through Dec 31. ($2 off.)
