2023-02-27 Melka Tasting – Parallel

By Jennifer Anderson
March 1, 2023

Photo of Adrienne D.A. Smith, General Manager/Partner with 2019 Parallel Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The wire cage that holds a sparkling wine cork onto the neck of the bottle is called a:

A. Birdcage

B. Stall

C. Helmet

D. Muzzle

Known in French as a muselet or muzzle, the wire cage that holds a Champagne or sparkling wine cork in place is very important in opening a bottle of bubbly safely. The muzzle should not be removed before the cork is eased out. Rather, the muzzle should be loosened (about 6 turns will loosen it), and then the wire removed with the cork at the same time.

“I wouldn’t have minded school if they taught you important things like how to have good sex and what brand of wine is best, but for some reason, they were hell bent on teaching me algebra.”

—Ben Mitchell, author, Without One Plea

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