The bottle of bubbly you bought is ready to be opened for that special celebration or party. The evening goes well. You toast the good times, and the cork flies off with a satisfying pop. Wait. What if the bottle is half full and you don’t want to finish it all? Enter the Champagne Stopper. This little gadget is not as simple as it appears. Continue reading.

It’s possible that you think, “Another stopper? No, not even close. Different stoppers give the bottle (or table, in this instance) a unique look. The first is the crown cap which looks similar to the top of a soft drink bottle. These are often used before the bottle is even on the shelf in commercial environments. They are an excellent sealer but may not always be suitable for use at home.

We’ll start with the most common: the hinged bottle stopper. This guy has two wings, or levers, that clamp down on the bottle’s neck. With a satisfying click, you snap the cap into place. Boom! Your fizz is now safe to use for another day. The cherry on the top? These are generally easy to come by and won’t cost a lot.

You should still be cautious. The more sophisticated vacuum style stopper is also available. Science is involved here. You put it on top of the neck, and then use the little pump to get rid of any excess air. It is a great way to store bottles for longer periods of time. What is the price? Invest a bit more and work harder.

It is important to consider the aesthetic aspect. Many champagne stoppers feature exquisite design that will turn heads, even when standing still. Ever seen a stopper with a gemstone or in chic metals? Although their primary function is keeping the sparkle alive, they are also a visual treat.

Have you ever experienced the horrible pleasure of dealing with an unreliable stopper before? I’ve come across too-loose bottle stoppers in my years of popping them. When you come back to the bottle after leaving it in the fridge, the bottom is flatter than a tire puncture. The fit of the stopper is also crucial. You don’t want it to be too tight or you could damage the bottle or cork. However, you also don’t want it to be too loose because then your champagne will lose its effervescence.

The best stoppers only last so long. Even the best of them can only hold off the inevitable for such a short time. The fizz and pressure will eventually fade. The fizz will eventually fade.

A quick word on cleaning is also in order (yes, it’s a must). It’s important to clean your stopper regularly. Otherwise, it can harbour all kinds of smells and residues. Some materials can be washed in the dish washer, but others should be hand-washed.

On a humorous note, have you tried to recork a Champagne bottle without a corkscrew? Good luck. It is impossible to get the original cork back in. It ain’t gonna happen. It is better to buy a quality stopper.

When we talk about the safety of champagne, don’t forget the occasion. Sometime, you want to drink the whole bottle. No stopper required. The right tool can be a game changer when you really need it. It is the unsung superhero of the world.

With the wide range of champagne stoppers on the market, there’s one for every bottle. No matter if you’re an amateur or a pro, knowing all the details about your champagne stopper options will help make any celebration more exciting. We’re toasting to keeping the bubbles alive by popping bottles.