Mastering The Champagne Basics
Many is the time that you can feel out of your depth at a champagne party, especially if it’s your first or second experience and the terms and expressions sound like some kind of incomprehensible code that you’ll never be able to understand…
Here are a few tips on the simple things. Master these and you’ll feel instantly more comfortable and able to make conversation.
Champagne and ageing: champagne can be stored for a long time in your home, providing the conditions are right (cool and dark is always best, humidity is champagne’s enemy!). Unlike wine, once the bottle is opened, it won’t keep long, so don’t expect to open the cork again the next day and find it has that same signature fizz as when the cork was first popped.
The idea that champagne has to be ice cold is a myth – it doesn’t. Twenty to twenty-five minutes or so in an ice bucket should do the trick just fine, producing a cool and decadent flavour that suits all pallets. Under no circumstances should you chill champagne in a freezer!
Tulip-shaped glasses are in fashion right now, but whatever kind of glasses you use avoid soap at all costs. Rinse well and leave to dry hanging upside down. This should ensure that the bubbles don’t cling to the glass and everyone is happy.
