Tips on serving alcohol at work functions

A glass of bubbly is no longer just relegated to celebrations, Melbourne Cup Lunch, the Christmas or EOFY party and special occasions. Australia is the sixth largest importer of champagne in the world, behind Belgium. In 2015, we imported 8.1 million bottles of champagne – an increase of 24.3% on the previous year. So, whether it’s a casual get-together or a special milestone, let’s break out the bubbly! Check out our top 5 tips for serving champagne.

1. Not all sparkling wines are created equally

Did you know…

The tradition of drinking champagne to mark celebrations originated in the royal courts of Europe prior to 1789, where it was seen as a status symbol. It was said to also have positive effects on women’s beauty and man’s wit.

The term ‘champagne’ can sometimes be used to describe all sparkling wines, but this is technically not correct. Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France. Only wines from this region made with the Méthode Champenoise can legally qualify as champagne.

There are a strict set of rules that govern what can be considered and can call itself a Champagne

• The grapes must be grown and harvested in the Champagne region of France
• Only Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes can be used to make champagne
• It must have spent at least 15 months in the bottle

Due to its fabled reputation and its protected status in the French wine ecosystem, it tends to be more expensive than other sparkling wines out in the marketplace. There are alternatives, each with their own characteristics and flavours, including:

• Cava - from Spain
• Prosecco - from Veneto, Italy
• Asti and Moscato d'Asti - from Piedmont, Italy
• Sekt - from Germany and Austria
• Crémant - from other regions of France

2. Keep it chilled

Whether you get your alcohol delivered beforehand for the big occasions like your Melbourne Cup office party or an upcoming event, it’s always best to prepare it for serving. We recommend serving sparkling wine chilled – put the bottle in a bucket of ice, or stick it in the fridge at least 45 minutes before serving and drinking it.

Whatever you do, don’t put the bottle in the freezer. It doesn’t chill evenly and can be very dangerous. If you leave it too long or forget about it, it can explode.

3. How to open a bottle (without taking an eye out)

It's much easier than you think! Simply place one hand flat over the top of the bottle, while you use your other hand to untwist the wire cage. Keep one hand on top and slowly let the cork loosen upwards. The pressure inside the bottle will gently push out the cork.

And make sure the bottle is cold before you open it, or you risk the cork releasing too quickly from the bottle and losing some of the wine.

4. How to serve champagne/sparkling wine

Tilt the glass at a 45 degree angle and pour the sparkling wine along the side of the glass – this will reduce the foam.

As for the glasses, champagne is traditionally served in elegant flutes. However, some would argue that flutes are terrible for tasting. Some say that the shape prevents enough oxygen from getting into the glass to open up the sparkling wine and blocks the aromas from reaching your nose, which in turn, limits the flavours. According to Richard Juhlin a Swedish bubbly expert, the best glasses look more like your standard-issue wine glass.

Tip: When making a toast, smaller pours are the norm. You can easily get 6 to 8 toasting pours from a bottle of bubbly.

5. Pair it with food

Serve it with food or appetizers, but not with dessert. The sweetness of the dessert combined with the bubbly can ruin the flavours of the sparkling wine and can create a poor experience. If you’re serving it with starters, sparkling wine goes very well with cheese and other salty appetizers. It is also delicious with meat, seafood, creamy pasta dishes, and believe it or not, pizza! The acidity cuts into the fattiness of the foods, creating a fantastic balance.

It's always important to serve food alongside alcohol in a corporate setting, regardless of what you order. If you’re popping a bottle of bubbly for your upcoming Melbourne Cup celebration, don’t forget to order corporate catering! Having a delicious lunch and tasty gourmet finger food and platters will help keep things in check and make sure everyone is drinking responsibly.

Do you have any other tips for serving bubbly or a favourite sparkling wine or champagne? Let us know!

So, when should you order champagne?

There are a few significant corporate occasions where champagne is an excellent idea! Not only can it add that special touch to a company event or office party, it can be an impressive addition to the drinks list.

Melbourne Cup party

Celebrating Melbourne Cup in the office is one of the most fun events in the year! It’s the perfect buffer between the middle and end of the year and it’s a great way to bring the office together for some team bonding.

Between watching the Melbourne Cup race, organising your office sweeps and all the delicious Melbourne Cup Catering, a glass of bubbly is the perfect accompaniment. Champagne is the best accessory when you’re adorned in your best dress or fanciest tie, for your employee Fashions on the Field competition. Corporate catering companies now offer hassle free Alcohol delivery straight to your office, so don’t forget to add champagne to your Melbourne Cup catering order!

Did you know that in 2017, Melbourne Cup race goers drank a total of 46,570 BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE!

The office Christmas or End Of Financial Year party

If you want to add a touch of luxe to your office Christmas or EOFY party opt for champagne. Perfect for making a toast and having a cheers to the end of a great year!

A corporate gift

There’s no nicer way to say a big thank you or acknowledge an important client than with a bottle of bubbly. Especially good for those extra important clients, a champagne gift would be highly appreciated.

Get all your alcohol delivered straight to your office

If you need alcohol delivery for your office in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra, or would like to offer delicious catering with your drinks, speak to our corporate catering experts at EatFirst. Our corporate caterers offer a wide range of menus to suit every occasion, including exquisite gourmet finger food, buffets, boardroom catering.

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