It’s here! The last day of the year.
When the time comes to raise a glass and propose a toast tonight, what will the topic be?
According to a survey of 660 adults, age 21 and older, conducted by Barefoot Bubbly, 40% of toasts will deal with happiness, health and prosperity; 14% will deal with the new year and surviving the old year; 10% will be about family and friends; and 10% will focus on goals.
Of course, you’ll need a glass of bubbly to raise when proposing that toast. Which leads us to today’s “Wine FAQ” query…
QUESTION: What’s the best way to get a big “pop” when opening a bottle of Champagne?
ANSWER: Well, there certainly is a way of ensuring a big pop, but we don’t recommend it. You’ve probably seen the “method” demonstrated on television following Super Bowl and World Series victories: The “cage” that covers the cork is taken off, the bottle is shaken and, if necessary, a thumb gives the cork a little push.
The problem is that when a cork goes flying through the air, it may hit something — like someone’s eye. Every year, several dozen hospital emergency rooms must deal with individuals injured by flying corks.
We highly recommend opening a Champagne bottle correctly — by holding onto the cork tightly and slowly turning it — and choosing a gentle “poof” sound over a loud “pop.”
