Welcome back to part two of my riveting feed on all things champagne! So let’s get to the good stuff; after all, a girl is not a camel

Our bottle is open and ready to go … but wait! What to pour the liquid gold in to? Now this glassware MUST be appropriate and – believe it or not – but the all too familiar tall flutes are NOT … uh huh, that is a NOT …(Mm, lots of caps today. Oy vey …) considered to be appropriate, because – apparently – ‘what you taste is what you smell.’ In simple terms, no smell no taste.

A stem that allows the champagne to breathe and blossom is best so reach for a tulip shaped flute or (and this just might go completely against the grain but … ) even a white wine glass. (One added bonus with the wine tumbler is that we can all get our noses into these glasses )

But I am getting ahead of myself … (wonder why??? Hmm, cos anytime is champagne time )

It is important when pouring the champers, that the host is offered a taste first after which the rest of the table can be served. Glide (yes, g-l-i-d-e ) clockwise around the table filling each guests glass, all the while being sure not to pour the bubbles haphazardly. Dreadful waste of a brilliant drink to sprinkle it all over the table

‘Wipe the rim with the napkin before serving each person…’ Ah, probably not going to happen unless it’s a catered affair. I mean … whose got the patience???

Anyhoo, an important point that may well be known already … be sure to hold the glass like a lady. And what do I mean by this? Always hold it by the stem if seated at the table. If walking around, hold the bottom securely so it doesn’t spill (nothing sloppier than wet patches down the front of an amazing evening gown ) And again, the same rule applies here as with wine, never hold the glass by the ‘bowl’ as that will warm the champagne.

Tinerate, it seems it is not just red wine that one needs to swirl and swish before a sip. Uh huh … brings out the delicate fragrance, grape ya dee ya Who knew!

Also noted here was that with champagne it is even more important than when drinking other beverages, that one is adamant about sipping from the same place every time. A lip smudged crystal glass does not compute with the elegance of champagne.

Finally, and again another little surprise for me … how about you? … Never clink glasses. Instead, simply raise your glass and make eye contact. However, if this is simply impossible, keep all contact to a minimum.

Ah, no. Happy to try new suggestions but pretty sure that the no-clink-cheers is not going to have the same impact … what do you think?

Anyhoo, all I can say is …

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo

Etiquette tips via Veranda.com