Champagne Sabers

[Thomas]

The custom, I am told, came from the Napoleanic wars. The guy with the sword was able to open a bottle of Champagne while atop a speeding horse. I think Napolean liked Champagne.

Today, it is done as a show piece. I saw someone do it once--can't remember if he took off the wire first. But he did give the cork one hard whack, and the wine streamed out of that bottle all over the floor. Everyone applauded and then we went to the task of drinking our Champagne with equal gusto...