Does A Spoon In An Open Bottle Keep The Fizz In Sparkling Wine?

When a party is winding down but a champagne bottle is still half full, it seems such a shame to throw it away. Instead, just put a spoon in the neck of the bottle. This apparently prevents the carbon dioxide from escaping and keeps the sparkle in the wine. Supposedly, you'll still be able to enjoy it the next day. But does it really work?

Cold slows the escape of CO2

In actual fact, carbon dioxide only remains in the bottle as long as there is counter-pressure. As soon as you pop the cork, excess pressure in the neck of the bottle is lost and CO2 slowly escapes.

via GIPHY

However, this process can be slowed down. Gases are more likely to remain dissolved in cold liquids than warm ones so cool the bottle to keep the carbon dioxide inside. The perlage, i.e. the formation of pearls dissolved by carbon dioxide, lasts longer in well-chilled drinks.

Does a silver spoon do anything?

A silver spoon can direct warmer air out of the bottle, keeping the carbon dioxide in the liquid longer. However, the effect is minimal and short-lived. In any case, the end of the spoon should touch the contents of the bottle and not hang in the air. In addition, only a silver spoon makes sense because it conducts heat better than other metals. A plastic spoon would do absolutely nothing.

What actually helps

Experts recommend a champagne bottle stopper that seals well. The sparkling wine bottle should be cooled immediately after opening so that the carbon dioxide does not escape so quickly. But to play it safe, we recommend simply emptying the bottle as quickly as possible! ;-)