How to store and serve champagne and sparkling wines?

How to store and serve champagne and sparkling wines?

The month of December is synonymous with festivities, bubbles and big tables. Champagne, crémant, prosecco and sparkling wines are a natural part of the festivities. But to fully appreciate these sparkling wines, you need to know how to store and serve them properly. The wrong temperature, the wrong glass or inadequate storage can alter the finesse of their bubbles and mask their freshness. Here are our tips for getting the best out of your sparkling wines during the festive season... and all year round.

1. At what temperature should champagne be stored and served?

Temperature is crucial to preserving the effervescence and revealing the aromas of a sparkling wine.

Storage:

• Ideally between 10 and 12°C, away from light, in a suitable wine cellar.

• The temperature must be stable to avoid variations that could damage the structure of the bubbles.

• A serving cellar set to the right temperature ensures perfect tasting at all times.

Serving temperature :

• Champagne brut, crémant, dry prosecco: between 8 and 10°C.

• Champagne millésimé or more complex: around 10 to 12°C to release the aromas.

• Moscato d'Asti or sweet sparkling wines: cooler, around 6 to 8°C.

Never serve a sparkling wine too cold (straight from the freezer): it inhibits aromas and accentuates bitterness.

2. How can I prevent champagne from losing its bubbles after opening?

Once opened, a bottle of sparkling wine immediately begins to lose CO₂, and therefore its bubbles. Here's how to keep them for a few hours (or even 1-2 days) :

Tips:

• Special champagne hermetic stopper: blocks gas leakage and keeps the pressure in the bottle.

• Store upright in the fridge: this limits contact with the air.

• Consume within 24 to 48 hours: after this time, the bubbles will be much reduced, even if the taste remains pleasant.

Avoid spooning into the neck - it's inefficient!

3. What accessories are needed to serve sparkling wine properly?

Glasses:

• Choose slightly flared tulip or flute glasses: they preserve the bubbles while releasing the aromas.

• Avoid wide goblets: bubbles escape too quickly.

Essential tools:

• Ice bucket: to maintain serving temperature during the meal.

• Wine thermometer: useful for checking exact serving temperature.

• Pressure stopper: indispensable if you don't finish the bottle.

Conclusion

A well-preserved and well-served Champagne or Crémant is the guarantee of a successful tasting experience. By respecting the ideal temperatures, using the right glasses and preserving the bubbles after opening, you reveal all the complexity and finesse of these sparkling wines. To ensure that every flute is perfect, equip yourself with a La Sommelière wine cellar, designed to provide the best conditions for your finest bottles.