Table For 2

The Proper Way To Pop The Cork

Pops For Champagne, 601 N. State St.

(312) 266-7677

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CHICAGO (CBS) ― Christmas is over, but the festivities of New Year's Eve are just around the corner, and no New Year's is complete without a bit of bubbly.

In this edition of Table for 2, CBS 2's Vince Gerasole has a primer on champagne.

When it's time to celebrate, we love to pop the cork and enjoy a bit of the bubbly.

Tom Verhey, owner of the River North champagne bar and jazz club Pops for Champagne, says it's "because of the beauty of the effervescence the sound of the bottle opening the pop. It just creates a full atmosphere and excitement."

The countless bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced during champagne's second fermentation, inside the tightly-sealed bottle as they build up as much pressure as you'll find inside the tire of an 18-wheeler.

"There's a lot of pressure in there," Verhey said. "I've seen the cork fly at least 25 feet."

The pros at Pops for Champagne suggest we sufficiently chill each bottle to the right temperature in a bucket with ice and water at least an hour before opening.

"Anything too warm and you get more of the explosion; a little more hard to handle," Verhey said. "A properly chilled bottle cuts down on the impact of opening."

To further avoid rocketing projectiles and spillage, Verhey reminds us when holding the bottle to place a thumb above the cork and drape the neck with a beverage towel. The trick is slowly twisting the bottle open

"It's just a matter of turning the bottle," Verhey said. "A lot of people turn the cork, but by turning the bottle and keeping your hand on top of the cork, it gives you better control."

The price for a good bottle of champagne starts at $80 and goes well beyond that.

Purists remind us that champagne's full rich flavor is produced only in a specific 85,000-acre region of France. Anything else, like light and crisp Spanish Cava or Italian Pro Seco is a sparkling wine.

That category also includes American bubblies. Among those, the better of the bunch can be purchased in the $20 range.

If you're looking for something different, Verhey suggests we try the red, romantic and a bit fruitier sparking rosés. They sell in the $40 to $60 range.

So let the bubbles – domestic or imported – tickle your nose as you celebrate the holidays ahead.

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