Don't let poor technique be the reason you waste valuable bubbly this season.

Yep, a new study has predicted that the United Kingdom will loose 1.5 million bottles (that’s 9.5 million glasses) of prosecco this festive season and it's all down to bad technique. After reading this study, team Her had fear in our eyes thinking of all this stunning prosecco going to waste here in Ireland too. Serious FEAR. So, in order to make sure we all are well equipped and don't spill a drop this Christmas. Good Housekeeping’s Wine and Spirits specialist, Alexandra Hale has shared her tips on correctly opening and pouring a bottle of the good stuff. Opening the bottle 

• Try not to shake the bottle before opening!
• Carefully remove the foil but leave the cage on the cork and loosen slightly using the twisted bit of metal.
• Use the cage to grip the cork and carefully hold it still, applying some pressure while you slowly twist the bottle (it may help to hold the bottle with a tea towel for grip).
• As you twist, the cork should come loose, continue to apply a small amount of pressure to the cork to ensure it doesn’t shoot out. Remove it very slowly, allowing to make a ‘pfffft’ noise as it comes out (rather than the loud pop and gush of liquid sometimes experienced).
• If it is looking like it may rush out, keep the cork on top of the bottle opening and remove very slowly, to ensure minimal wastage.

Pouring

• Angle your glass to around 45 degrees towards your bottle and slowly pour into the glass.
• This should ensure that the liquid slides into the glass and doesn’t bubble up too much. (If you pour straight down, the liquid hits the bottom of the glass with some force and speed, making it bubble up and over flow)

So to avoid spillage this season, it's time to get cracking on perfecting your pouring technique as the study also revealed that 40% of people spill some bubbly when they pour it (tut tut). Time to brush up on those skills.