Sabrage is a technique for opening
a champagne bottle with a sabre, used for
ceremonial occasions. The saber is slid along
the body of the bottle toward the neck. The
force of the blade hitting the lip breaks the
glass to separate the collar from the neck of
the bottle. The cork and collar remain together
after separating from the neck.
- Take a chilled bottle of champagne, not ice cold but suitable for drinking. The ideal temperature is around 37°F or 3°C
- Carefully remove the wire around the cork. If the champagne has been properly chilled, the cork will remain in the bottle.
- Find one of the two seams along the side of the bottle. At the same time, you can remove the foil which will impede the sliding movement of the sabre. When you are an experienced sabreur, this will not be necessary.
- With your arm extended, hold the bottle firmly by placing the thumb inside the punt at the base of the
bottle. Make sure the neck is pointing up – around 30° from horizontal. Make sure no one is in your line of fire. - Calmly lay the sabre flat along the seam of the bottle with the sharp
edge ready to slide firmly against the annulus at the top. - Your firm sliding of the sabre against this ring is aided by the internal pressure of the bottle, so that the cork flies dramatically away. This leaves a neat cut on the neck of the bottle and the champagne is ready to be enjoyed.
Champagne! In victory one deserves it.
In defeat one needs it.
- Napoleon -
This technique became popular in France when
the army of Napoleon visited many of the
aristocrat domains. It was just after the French
revolution and the saber was the weapon of
choice of Napoleon's fearsome cavalry. Napoleon's spectacular victories across
all Europe gave them plenty of reason to
celebrate. During these parties the cavalry would
open the Champagne with their sabers. Napoleon
probably encouraged this and is known to have
said: "Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in
defeat one needs it."
But there are many stories about
this tradition.
One of the more spirited tales is
that of Madame Clicquot, who had inherited her
husband's small Champagne house at the age of
27. She used to entertain Napoleon's officers in
her vineyard and as they rode off in the early
morning with their complimentary bottle of
Champagne, they would open it with their saber
to impress the rich young widow.
