A Sparkling Start to the New Year: Champagne, Celebration, and Spectacle

Here at “Champagne Central” we get very excited about New Year’s Eve, since it’s a festive time when many people celebrate with friends over a bottle or two of good champagne. Right up our alley. For those of you interested in putting on a small spectacle for your guests, here are simple instructions for creating a Champagne Flute Pyramid.

Below this tutorial is an excerpt from THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel that describes a party at Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills for Oscar nominees before the Academy Awards (similar to real parties that are held every year). In this scene, they use a flute pyramid with the added drama of sabering the first bottle.

How to Build a Three-Tier Champagne Flute Pyramid

Start with glasses that have a short stem and wide opening at the top (for balance). This example uses fourteen glasses. To start, make sure your table is level.

Bottom Layer

Arrange nine glasses in a square with each glass touching each other, so they’re snug.

Second Layer

Put four glasses on top of the bottom layer in a diamond shape centered in the middle with the glasses touching each other, so they’re securely on top of the bottom layer.

Top Layer

Put one glass on top in the middle.

To Pour

Start by pouring a small amount in the top flute, pause for it to settle. Being mindful of foam, continue pouring very slowly in the top flute until it overflows onto the next layer.

You can fill the bottom layer of glasses half-way beforehand for added stability and then fill them the rest of the way via the top pour-over.

P.S.  Good idea to put the whole pyramid on a large (level) tray, so any spillage from the pour ends up inside the tray.

Excerpt from THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH — Pre-Oscar party at Spago in Beverly Hills

Chris was having trouble keeping his eyes off the two gorgeous women in the back of the limo with him. This Hollywood stuff is over the top. Catherine had insisted they arrive in style at Spago. A cab would have done the job just fine. Heck, it was five minutes away. Smoke and mirrors, he reminded himself.

While he was getting dressed, Chris had heard the ladies giggling through the adjoining wall to Catherine’s bungalow. He’d guessed they were getting all dolled up. Mission accomplished—they looked spectacular. They’d met on the porch, and Catherine introduced him to her friend. Vanessa shook his hand firmly and looked him straight in the eye. Seemed she was checking him out to see if he met with her approval.

Vanessa was beautiful in her own right, but he wasn’t the slightest bit interested in anyone other than his enticing employee. They both wore mini-length, body-hugging party dresses, Catherine in all black and Vanessa in all white, probably made by famous designers. He wondered if the sparkly jewelry they wore around their necks and dangling from their ears was real.

When their limo driver pulled up to the curb near the entrance to Spago, photographers already mobbed the sidewalk, even though the party didn’t start for another half hour. A valet attendant opened the door. Chris got out and offered his arm to Catherine. The moment the first pointy toe of her high heel hit the ground, flashbulbs started popping. Going to be some evening, he groaned inwardly. He turned to assist Vanessa from the limo, and photographers started shouting her name, encouraging her to look in their direction. Vanessa smiled and waved. These women are pros.

Catherine and Vanessa paused for a few photos then glided up the temporarily installed red carpet. The trio was met by a woman at the entrance, iPad in hand, checking off press arrivals. Catherine introduced Liza Grant to Chris. He thanked her for Kerner’s help at the last minute.

Bodyguards were out in full force to discourage crashers and keep wayward paparazzi out of the restaurant. One needed a verifiable embossed invitation for this exclusive event.

Inside, Wolfgang greeted Catherine and Vanessa with kisses on each cheek. “Guten Tag, ladies.”

“Wolfgang,” Catherine said, “I’d like to present Chris McDermott, president of Winston & Wright.” She drew Chris over, her hand on his arm. He liked the possessive feel of that.

“Nice to meet you,” Chris said as he shook Wolfgang’s hand. “We really appreciate your featuring our rosé tonight.”

“Glad it worked out,” Wolfgang said. “The sabering should be quite dramatic, which this crowd will appreciate.”

Chris had only executed the sabering a half-dozen times; he was anxious for it to go off without a hitch. It required a good knife with a sharp blade and the skill to connect at the right spot below the rim of the bottle for maximum impact. The velocity and direction of the severed bottle top was another concern.

“Your sales rep is on the patio, putting the final touches on the pyramid of glasses,” Wolfgang said. “Great visual.”

“Thanks,” Chris said. “I’ll go take a look.”

***

Chris headed toward the entrance to find the only woman who interested him in an intimate conversation with George Clooney. All these desirable women, and his girl was the one hanging out with Clooney. Chris had read that every woman over the age of twenty-five thought George Clooney was still one of the “sexiest men alive,” as he’d been dubbed by People magazine numerous times. He had to admit the guy exuded star power.

Catherine smiled when he approached and introduced them. “We were discussing the sabering,” she said. “George offered to participate in the tower pour after the sabering.”

“That’s great,” Chris said. “Thanks for pitching in.”

“Sure, happy to help,” George said. “I’m a big fan of the bubbly—even when it’s sprayed at sporting events.”

“Well, we won’t be doing that tonight. Too many fancy gowns,” Chris said, and both men laughed.

George left to take care of his cohost duties. By this time, the party was in full swing. Wolfgang’s équipe was in high gear. Everything sparkled—fine china platters piled high with gourmet appetizers, crystal champagne flutes served by tuxedoed waiters, and of course the dazzling guests. Glittering diamonds and expensive custom jewelry set off shimmering gowns baring lots of skin. This truly was a crowd of beautiful people.

***

Waiters circulated through the crowd, ringing bells to usher guests toward the patio for the ceremony.

The crowd quieted and Wolfgang began. “Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Spago’s sparkling salute to this year’s Oscar nominees.” He named the nominees in attendance to enthusiastic applause. “Our cohost, George Clooney, has a few words.”

“I’ll keep it very short,” George said. “To the other nominees, may the best man—or woman—win, hopefully all the entrants from our movie.” That drew guffaws. “The theme of this year’s Academy Awards is Preserving Our Planet, so I encourage you all to donate to those nonprofit groups the Academy singled out.” He looked at his pals Brad Pitt and Matt Damon and joked, “Especially those penny-pinchers Brad and Matt.” More laughter.

Wolfgang leaned into the mic. “I’d also like to thank Chris McDermott, president of Winston & Wright, for providing the sparkles.” He gestured for Chris to step up and speak.

Not accustomed to being the center of attention in a group of famous faces, Chris squared his shoulders and began. “On behalf of Winston & Wright, I want to thank Wolfgang for hosting this special event to celebrate the Oscar nominees. We wish you all good luck. Speaking of celebrating, we’ll be launching our first prestige sparkling in June. Its name is ‘Celebration.’” He glanced at Catherine, who nodded approvingly. “Knowing how you all like drama and flair, I’ll be opening the first magnum tonight the old-fashioned way, with a saber.” The crowd sighed.

Robert removed the foil and wire cap from the bottle and handed the magnum to Chris. Chris pulled the saber out of its scabbard, making a clanging noise, held the magnum in his left hand, and swung the saber against the seam of the bottle where it met the rim. In one smooth motion, he sliced off the top of the bottle, including the cork, and the wine began spilling out. Loud clapping erupted from the audience.

Chris quickly pulled the bottle upright and handed it to George Clooney, who moved to the pyramid, held it over the top glass, and started pouring. The wine overflowed, cascading into the glasses below.

Caroline O’Connell’s debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH, launched in September.

The ebook version is discounted to $2.99 (from $9.99) until January 14, 2026.

Buy here: https://amzn.to/4jTL8yZ