WSET Level 1 Practice Question · Episode 65
Show Answer & Explanation (try the quiz first)
Practice Question
What is the most important safety rule and the first thing to do when opening a bottle of sparkling wine?
- A. Pop the cork as loudly as possible.
- B. Shake the bottle to release the bubbles.
- C. Keep a thumb firmly over the cork from the moment the wire cage is loosened, and point the bottle away from people.
- D. Soak the bottle in hot water to increase the pressure.
Answer & Explanation
Answer: C. Keep a thumb firmly over the cork from the moment the wire cage is loosened, and point the bottle away from people. Explanation: The pressure inside a bottle of sparkling wine is as high as a car tire. The moment the wire cage (muselet) is loosened, the cork can fly out like a bullet, causing injury. Therefore, you must keep your thumb on the cork the entire time and never point it at people or glass. A professional opens it with a quiet "whisper," not a loud bang.
Key Theory Summary
3 Steps for Safe and Elegant Sparkling Service: 1. Control: Keep your hand firmly on the cork the moment you start loosening the wire. 2. Angle: Tilt the bottle at a 45-degree angle to help the pressure release slowly. 3. Twist: Turn the 'bottle' from the base, not the cork, to gently let the cork slide out.
Expert Exam Tip
[Trap]: Don't think "you remove the cork first and then the cage." The cage is what holds the cork in; the danger starts the second you loosen it. [Tip]: If 'Safety' and 'Control of the cork' appear in the exam, remember these safety protocols.