Champagne bucket

A champagne bucket is definitely part of enjoying champagne in style and turning an experience into a memorable one. Whether simple or elegant, it should always optimise the cooling and handling of the champagne. It must not be too narrow so that the water/ice mixture (approx. 50/50 %) can surround the majority of the bottle. There are champagne buckets that may look nice but are inadequate in terms of function.

In ice water, this Pommery Louise would only benefit from approx. 30% (and therefore uneven) cooling - with classic (bulbous) champagne bottles perhaps even only 20% cooling. More space is desirable. For optimum results, uniform cooling of at least 50-70% of the bottle length is required. Many (often inexpensive) bucket designs bed a standard bottle wonderfully.

A standard Bollinger bottle, for example, is cooled satisfactorily. A silver-plated bucket with an antique look is popular in the US market. It costs around 60 dollars.

Champagne can easily be stored (even for a few days) in the fridge (bottom shelf!) or pre-chilled slightly. After just 20 to 30 minutes in the ice-water solution in the bucket, the champagne will reach the ideal serving temperature. The next bottle may already be waiting in the fridge for you to simply replace the empty bottle in the bucket.

In addition to champagne, some champagne houses also supply beautiful champagne buckets. Naturally, the champagne brand can then be seen on these buckets in an effective advertising manner. However, many champagne lovers would never, for example, conjure up a marvellous Ruinart champagne from a bucket with obvious Mumm advertising - most likely an elegant (and suitable) cordon rouge.

ImageBuckets on stands are also practical. They save space on the table, and the dripping bottles from the ice bath do not cause any moisture on the tablecloth. Incidentally, a proper napkin is necessary when serving champagne from any type of bucket - both for drying and to ensure that the bottle is handled properly when serving.

The next stage is represented by large champagne buckets, which are more like large bowls. They easily accommodate two to three standard bottles at the same time. Magnum bottles also fit in wonderfully. However, a (high-quality) 'bucket' of this type is rarely found on the market and is comparatively expensive (high-quality bowls can even cost 100 to 400 euros/US$ in used condition - if they are made of silver, they cost much more). Although they are rarely used by most owners, they are undoubtedly a beautiful and prestigious decoration in the home.

 

 

Back to the lexicon & glossary | You were here: Champagne bucket