Community Corner

Champagne Cork Safety Tips and Video

Before you toast the New Year, review these EyeSmart tips on how to safely open a bottle of champagne.

Flying champagne corks are powerful enough to shatter glass and cause serious, blinding eye injuries, according to EyeSmart. Whether you're drinking Cava, Champagne or sparkling wine from Bacchus Wine Cellar, Potomac Wine or Safeway make sure you bring in the new year safely.

For a safe celebration, follow these EyeSmart tips on how to properly open a bottle of champagne:

  • Chill sparkling wine and champagne to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
  • Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking increases the speed at which the cork leaves the bottle thereby increasing your chances of severe eye injury.
  • Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.
  • Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
  • Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45 degree angle to break the seal. Counter the force of the cork using downward pressure as the cork breaks free from the bottle.

Their video demonstrates how to properly open a champagne bottle.

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