The Most Successful Method For Opening A Bottle Of Bubbly

It's officially the holiday season, a time when celebrations, gatherings, potlucks, and other festive occasions seem to happen almost weekly. And whether you'll be celebrating Christmas, New Year's Eve, the winter solstice, or simply time off from work this month, chances are you'll encounter a certain celebratory beverage: champagne. This bubbly white wine is produced only in the Champagne region of France, though other sparkling wines such as prosecco and cava are common festive beverages, as well.

Even if you've enjoyed your fair share of bubbly over the years, you may not have ever actually opened up a bottle of it. This can be a tricky process, as sparkling wines are naturally fizzy and, due to the pressure that builds up inside the bottle, popping off the cork can actually be a dangerous event as it can fly off with great force (via Town & Country). As tasty as sparkling wine is, it's not worth losing an eye or shattering any vases, so read on to learn about the safest — and most reliable — method for cracking open a bottle this holiday season.

How delicious is champagne? Delicious enough to risk losing an eye? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, improper removal of the corks of sparkling wine causes serious eye injuries each year (via ScienceDaily). Due to the carbonated liquid inside, champagne bottles contain a higher level of pressure than the average car tire. "Popping" a bottle of bubbly can launch the cork forward at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, fast enough to shatter glass or seriously injure anyone standing in the cork's way.

It's important to learn how to safely and effectively open a bottle of champagne. How? Simply control the cork's exit. According to Delish, this is best achieved by grabbing an ordinary kitchen towel to help ease off the cork instead of launching it. First, make sure your bubbly is well chilled, as ScienceDaily notes a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly. Then, peel off the foil and unscrew the little metal cage around the cork. Holding the bottle by its neck, cover the cork with your towel and firmly but slowly wiggle the cork. As you wiggle, Delish points out that you'll feel the pressure inside starting to push the cork forward, so make sure to maintain your grip. Once the cork pops into the towel, pour that lovely bubbly and toast to life — and the safe, healthy eyes of everyone at your party.