1- Choice of bottle. The champenoise method sparkling wines have a higher internal pressure than the charmat method ones, and consequently are put in bottles with the thickest glass. The champenoise method sparkling wines therefore guarantee a safer sabrage. While the Charmat method ones have a greater risk of unwanted breakage, especially if not properly refrigerated.
2- Your bottle should be very cold (about 39°F, tops). Leave it a few hours in the fridge.
3-When the sparkling wine is cold enough, remove the foil wrapper and wire cage.
4- Find the seam running up the side of the bottle to the lip. The intersection of the seam and the lip is where you have to aim.
5- Grasp the bottle by the base, and point it to where there is no one. The cork (with a little ring of glass around it) can reach impressive speeds.
6- Hold the saber almost flat against the bottle. Run it slowly back along the seam toward you, then strike the breaking point firmly.
7- Cheers! (Pay attention to the sharp neck of the bottle).