I sabered a Champagne!

I didn't actually use a saber, I used a bayonet. But this is something I've wanted to do for a very long time now. I tried it last year but wasn't successful. Did it just after New Year struck. I put on protective gloves and goggles just in case, as I've seen some videos of bottles exploding when this stunt is done. Hit the lip of the bottle the first time but nothing happened. At the second strike the cork and glass popped off just like that. The victim was a Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Demi-sec NV.

That's one thing I can strike off the bucket list.

Happy New Year to all!

Congratulations. That is indeed something to be proud of.

A couple of years ago my wife and I attended a NYC offline with Dale and Ramon and the chef at the restaurant "sabered" the champagne with a tiny cappacino spoon. I don't think I will ever be able to work up the nerve to saber a bottle with anything!!

Congratulations. That is indeed something to be proud of.

A couple of years ago my wife and I attended a NYC offline with Dale and Ramon and the chef at the restaurant "sabered" the champagne with a tiny cappacino spoon. I don't think I will ever be able to work up the nerve to saber a bottle with anything!!

Thanks, Bruce. Hmmm. Maybe I can try a spoon next year! The chef must have a very strong wrist and spoons made of titanium.

Thanks, Bruce. Maybe I can try it with a spoon next year. That chef must have spoons made of titanium.

Bruce,
Not easy to forget that, as Didier the chef/owner of La Sirene pulled that stunt on one of the aged Bollinger that you brought.

Jay,
Happy New Year and congratulations on fulfilling your “sabering” wish. I don’t think Ill ever get around to doing it, unless somebody else insists on me doing it … with their bubbly. Besides, I’m currently short on BAYONETS! I’m quite aware of how crazy New Year midnight celebrations can get in the Philippines, but it still must have been quite a sight when you came out at the stroke of midnight with gloves, goggles, a bottle of liquor and a bayonet.

Hi Ramon, yeah a bit crazy getting all the gear on but I didn't want to take any chances. Here are a couple of pictures to give you some idea of what went on.

Forgive the rather clumsy attempt at posting pictures but I'm new at this.


Just after I did the deed






Here's the cork still stuck in the glass neck

Jay,

Thanks for sharing and posting the photos ... just like I pictured you.
Did the neighbors hide the women and children when you came out?
if you don't mind my asking, but what's the deal with the bayonet? Are you into old military stuff?

Besides, I’m currently short on BAYONETS!

The back of a large kitchen knife works just as well.

If you are keen and have a big gathering, try it with a large format bottle!

Sue's blog entry.

Daniel Le Brun, the best sparkling wine maker in New Zealand.

[Jenise]

Very cool, J-Lab.

Jay,

Thanks for sharing and posting the photos ... just like I pictured you.
Did the neighbors hide the women and children when you came out?
if you don't mind my asking, but what's the deal with the bayonet? Are you into old military stuff?

Fortunately, it seemed like all the neighbors were out of town.

My brother does military re-enactment. He supplied me with the bayonet. In fact, his group of re-enactors gets invited to wear their WWII Philippine Scouts and Philippine American War (or Philippine Insurrection as the Gringos put it) uniforms and join in the Armed Forces parades on Bataan Day and the Armed Forces and Army anniversaries. They had a really cool parade about a month ago where they all rode restored WWII Jeeps.

Jay, you made my day.

I reported witnessing my first sabering at a wine tasting a few weeks ago, reported here. I did take a picture of the event, but my timing was bad.

FRSabre.jpg