New Year’s Eve is almost here and bottles of champagne, Prosecco, and Cava are chilling across the land; the question is – who’s prepared to pop them? A more timid gal might shy away when asked to open some sparkling wine, lest it overflow like an alcoholic Vesuvius, but the crew at Moxy is here to ensure that you come off as a total Betty by knowing how to open a bottle of bubbly.

Pull the tab on the foil covering.

STEP ONE: Store the bottle upside down in the fridge or freezer, if you’re in a bit of a time crunch. This will allow the carbonation to float to the bottom of the bottle and make for less spillage when you pop the cork. No one wants to waste an expensive beverage.

STEP TWO: Pull the tab on the foil covering and then remove the remainder of the foil.

STEP THREE: Untwist the wire cage. Make sure to keep the cork pointed away from anyone, or anything breakable for that matter, and you may even want to keep your thumb on top of the cork for added security.

STEP FOUR: Remove the cage slowly; its purpose is to make sure that the cork stays in place so you don’t want to yank it off.

Step Three: Untwist the wire cage.

STEP FIVE: Grasp the bottle firmly with both hands – your favored hand on the bottle, and the other on the cork. If you did not have the chance to put the bottle upside down or are afraid of spillage, you can always use a hand towel in the hand grasping the cork; just make sure it’s clean.

STEP SIX: Slowly turn the bottle counterclockwise. You will feel the pressure of the carbonation pushing against the cork, but don’t give into it; you want the cork to come out as slowly as possible, with more of a whooshing sound than a pop. A pop usually signifies the cork getting away from you. Sure, it may seem festive to send the cork flying, but we only recommend that for outdoor openings, and never in a crowd.

Step Eight: Have a go-to toast prepared - then enjoy!

STEP SEVEN: Now that the cork is removed, pour slowly into the appropriate glassware, giving the liquid time to settle before adding more. Whether you prefer flutes or coupes, it adds an element of class when you serve a beverage in the appropriate glass.

STEP EIGHT: Whether you are celebrating the occasion, the company or both, it is always good to have a go-to toast. It can be cute and quick, like “champagne for my real friends and a real pain for my sham friends,” as simple as “slainte” (the Irish cheers) or something from the heart if the mood is right. You’ve done the work here, so why surrender the spotlight to someone else? Salut!

Article and photos by Kim Coughlin for Moxy Magazine, December 2010.