Drunk!

Sabraging a bottle of champagne or MCC is the coolest trick in the book – and I couldn’t do it. Not that I would ever claim a massive amount of ‘cool-ness’ anyway – remember, I own Crocs, cardies and at least one pair of elasticated-waist trousers – but it has been highly annoying that in my own sphere of interest and supposed expertise, I just can’t cut it as well as I should.

So I decided that come what may, this is the year things are going to change. Spring has begun, sparkling wine season is on the cards and I have decided that I am not going to open a single bottle the normal way until I am confident I can do it the flashy, cool way as well. So, armed with a bottle of 2007 Boschendal MCC (winner of the Vintage class at this year’s Amorim Cap Classique Challenge) and still smarting over the way Wales gifted the Boks a narrow win on Sunday, I let rip in front of 14 sceptical Boks fans round at my friend, Bern’s house.

And it worked!! It bloody well worked!! And now I wonder how many I can get through before the end of the year? If anyone wants to send any bottles of fizz my way for practice, please feel free. I think I need plenty of attempts before I can say with certainty that I am finally a Sabrage Queen!!

PS – if you want to know how to do it, my instructions are here. And BTW, the Boschendal was completely delish – rich, savoury, tangy, citrussy, yeasty with excellent length. It put the other fizzes there on the day to shame. Buy it for +/- R105 at specialist retailers.

PPS – you see the cultural debate raging for the last five years in our house has now taken a significant turn. For the worse, in my husband’s opinion, but at least Charlie fits in at school!!