Have you ever been in awe of hosts who seem to have a magical touch with sparkling wine, effortlessly serving perfectly chilled glasses while making it all look so easy? Whether it's the satisfying pop of the cork or the way the bubbles dance in the glass, there's something truly special about serving sparkling wine. With our tips, you'll master the art from storage to presentation, and leave your guests impressed with your newfound expertise.
Just bought a bottle of wine or received your Club CHANDON shipment? Here's what to do next:
Lay It Down: Or stand it up. Depends on your storage space. Unlike still wines that need to be stored on side to keep the cork moist, this is not required for sparkling. The CO2, pressure and humidity inside the bottle will keep the cork moist. But there are no negatives to storing on it's side.
Fridge or Cellar?: If you're saving it for a special occasion, store it in a cool, dark place like a wine cellar or temperature-controlled fridge. No cellar? No problem. A cool closet works too. For short-term storage, a regular fridge is fine, but don't keep it there too long as vibrations can affect the wine, and low humidity can dry out the cork.
OPENING THE BOTTLE
THE ART OF THE SWIRL
Chill Properly: Ideally, chill the bottle in the fridge for a few hours before serving. In a rush?
Wrap it in a wet paper towel and place it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
To Ice Or Not To Ice?: While traditionally served chilled, some sparkling wines, like CHANDON Garden Spritz and CHANDON Chant des Cigales, are perfect over ice, especially in warmer weather.
HOW MUCH TO SERVE
CHOOSING GLASSWARE
While flutes are traditional, CHANDON sparkling wines can be served in any glass. Stemless wine glasses, regular wine glasses, or even a mug will do the trick.
HAPPY HOSTING
This guide is a valuable tool for demystifying the art of serving sparkling wine. Now that you’ve mastered the basics, you can focus less on the logistics and more on savoring each sip.