Man, I knew there'd be something I'd forget to get in Mexico, but until I just watched Harry McWatters open a bottle of sparkling wine with a machete I didn't think it would be one of those long, wide-bladed knives. McWatters, president of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in Summerland, B.C., makes the loping off of the top of a bottle look so easy I can just see all sorts of celebrants trying to emulate his touch with a sabre this New Year's Eve. Be forewarned, however, that the maneuver is more difficult than it looks, taking practice, patience and precision.

Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman of Wine Press Northwest called upon McWatters to demonstrate the ancient art of sabrage to celebrate the 100th episode of the weekly winecasts they launched two years ago. To view the McWatters video, visit the complete list of their winecasts here and click on the Dec. 11 episode.