Jan 30

Jan 30 Don't try this at home...but if you know how, it's an impressive party trick!

“Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it.”

— Napoleon Bonaparte, a huge fan of Sabrage

We have always associated Champagne with celebrations for one reason or another - some bigger and more momentous than others. Our New Year’s resolution last year was to have more Champagne in our lives - whether that meant finding more reasons in our daily lives to appreciate and celebrate our blessings or creating more champagne-popping moments. Add a big shiny saber to the mix and BOOM! Every day feels like a grand celebration!

Ever since He and She took the Level One Sommelier course through the Court of Master Sommeliers, we have been fascinated with the art of Sabrage. We watched the experts in awe but were not allowed to experiment ourselves during our training. We were warned of all the bloody calamities - Google "Champagne Saber Fails" - not cool!

When is the right time to try it for yourself - and how?

We came upon our golden opportunity at the St. Regis Resort in Princeville, Kauai. They have a Champagne sabering ceremony nightly at sunset with the gorgeous Mount Makana as the backdrop. The Head Butler, Robert Ancheta, dressed in traditional costume, opens the ritual with Hawaiian chants and stories of Aloha and then Director of Restaurants & Bars, Mason Malesevich, deftly sabers and pours the Chandon.

It is a tradition all St. Regis properties around the world celebrate. It dates back to 1904 when John Jacob Astor IV opened the first St. Regis in New York. After experiencing the ritual on the first night of our stay, we promptly booked a lesson for the following afternoon. The Makana Terrace Supervisor, Cailon Moore was a patient instructor and a good sport. I think he, and all the guests, were as surprised as I was at my successful first attempt. You too can have your very own saber by clicking here!