Make sure you have your glasses ready and within easy reach. Then, take your bottle and remove the foil; there should be a tag or perforation line to make this easy and neat.

Helen McGinn – Author, drinks writer, TV presenter and co-chair of the International Wine Challenge That's great for when you want a consistently delicious drink. Our experts were impressed by some of the supermarket offerings in this area when we tested, which they saw as 'safe' choices, especially if you're entertaining. Most champagnes are non-vintage (NV), meaning they are made from a blend of wines made from grapes from different years, as opposed to one year’s harvest for vintage (V) or millesimé Champagne (with the year indicated on the label). This cookie is set by the provider Akamai Bot Manager. This cookie is used to manage the interaction with the online bots. It also helps in fraud preventions Even French sparkling wines from other regions in France are not technically Champagne but are labeled as Cremant. Sparkling wines from other parts of the world are simply labeled sparkling wine. Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, and Sekt from Austria and Germany are some of the most popular sparkling wines.Blanc de Blancs means the champagne is made using 100% Chardonnay; its light and dry taste make this type of Champagne a popular choice for apértifs. NV stands for non-vintage champagne. It is essentially a 'house' blend made using grapes harvested in different years to an established overall taste profile. The primary types of Champagne are Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rosé, indicating the varieties and the colors of the grapes used.

Our challenge in champagne is how to best build our future by staying rooted in our past all the while improving viticulture and oenology. We need to be pioneers in innovation to remain leaders . Sustainability is also my priority outside the vineyards. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint considering the whole ecosystem of champagne production, from the vines to the supply chain, from our carbon footprint to energy and water consumption and waste management. To earn the right to call itself Champagne, a bottle of bubbly must also meet the Appellation d’Origine Controlée or AOC standards. With your other hand, untwirl the cage fastening. Uncover your thumb, lift off the cage and replace your thumb over the cork. Fail to chill your champagne properly and you'll end up with fizz flying everywhere. Our experts warned that a warm bottle is a recipe for an explosive opening.Playing a starring role in celebrating many of life’s triumphant moments, Champagne comes in a variety of price ranges and a variety of styles. Our experts also pointed out that it's a great drink to have without food (in moderation, of course), so works well as a starting point for festivities before you move on to mellower options with your meal. Generally speaking, however, for many people, champagne is just synonymous with sparkling wine. Grape varietals If you can feel the cork pushing to leave the bottle already, get a glass ready. Otherwise, with the bottle gripped in one hand, slowly pull up the cork with the other. It may be quite stiff at first – if so, alternate pulling and twisting motions – but as you go you'll start to feel the pressure from within helping you out.