The art of Sabrage

The art of Sabrage where one takes the top off a bottle of Champagne with a Sabre has its origins with Napoleons army in France, after victories on the battlefield they would use a Sabre to open Champagne bottles to celebrate.

Still used for ceremonial occasions today bottles can be opened with a Sabre (Champagne sword) or other items such as the bottom of a glass or a butter knife.

Sabrage requires a bottle that has a high level of pressure such as Champagne and premium sparkling wines which enable you to remove the top using that inbuilt pressure, however there are safety guidelines to ensure accidents such as exploding bottles are avoided.

It is entertaining and quite spectacular to perform contrary to what people think it takes a steady hand rather than force to remove the cork and cage from the neck of the bottle, after locating the seam the weakest point of the bottle and with a swift and steady movement the top flies off, some liquid will escape however this just adds to the theatre and visual sensation that is Sabrage.

The Champagne is safe to drink if the cut is clean and the bottle is not chipped or damaged.