Sabrage or champagne sabering is an art believed to have been invented during the Napoleonic era. It is a technique of opening a bottle of champagne with the use of curved swords or also known as sabers. Sabers are effective in mounted warriors as melee weapons. During victories in battle, these great men of Napoleon Bonaparte celebrities with a bottle of champagne. They managed to uncork the bottle using their primary weapons and the art of champagne sabering was born.
Not Chopping
Contrary to popular belief, sabrage is not chopping in order to behead the bottle. In fact, there it does not require too much muscles in order for you to perfect such art. The technique is by utilizing what is really happening inside the bottle. A quick wack from the saber by sliding the blade from the seam to the lip will make the bottle pop. For starters or practice, make sure that you are using an authentic champagne saber.
What To Use?
It is not recommended to use an ordinary kitchen knife since this tool is for the purpose of cutting meat. Sabers like Dorre Salut (As you can see above image), is ideal for both amateur and pro when it comes to sabering champagne. But, if you want to decapitate the bottle with style how about using Fox Sciabola del Sommelier Bronze Black instead. It is so majestic and at the same time, it works perfectly on many occasions. Both Dorre Salut and Fox Sciabola del Sommelier Bronze Black can also be personalized by laser engraving.
You don’t need to take up a crash course in order for you to perfect the art. Just a few slide or swing will do. Always remember, practice will not make you perfect, but it helps to make you better. If you are having trouble with your budget or it seems like, wasting a lot of good wine is not a good idea for practice, you can use bubbly wine instead.
Step 1
Make sure that the bottle is cold before executing the technique. You can put the bottle in an ice bucket full of ice or your fridge.
Step 2
Wipe the bottle with a table napkin. This makes sure that the bottle won’t slip.
Step 3
Remove the foil in so the seam will be exposed
Step 4
Remove the cork wire by supporting the cork itself using your thumb.
Step 5
Before beheading the bottle, make sure that you look for the seam. This is the spot where you are going to slide the blade.
Step 6
Hold the bottle properly in a 40-degree angle. Make sure not to point the bottle to the audience or to some part of the room where there is fragile stuff.
Step 7
Practice your swinging by sliding the blade slowly from the neck to the lip. This allows your muscle to get used to the pattern.
Step 8
Execute…
Step 9:
Allow some bubbles to flow. This ensures to eliminate small fragments.
Step 10
Pour the champagne into your champagne flute and make a bow.
Champagne Saber 