Sabrage World Record smashed with Pongrácz at the Bull Run

Wednesday, 17 February, 2010
GC Communications
Andrew Duminy, General Manager of The Bull Run Restaurant in Sandton and Pongracz have successfully set a new Guinness World Record for opening the most sparkling wine bottles in one minute using a sabre according to the traditional ceremonial sabrage.
Sabrage is a lavish ceremonial technique whereby a champagne or sparkling wine bottle is removed with a sabre or sword. The force of the blade causes the cork and collar to shoot off the neck of the bottle in a show stopping display of bubbles and blasts.

Valentines Day turned into a real blast at The Bull Run Restaurant when the world record attempt began at exactly 17h00. Exactly one minute later at 17h01 Andrew Duminy had successfully opened 27 bottles of Pongrácz with his formidable sabre, smashing the previous record of 21 bottles.

Inspired by a charismatic Hungarian nobleman, Pongrácz was the perfect choice for this world record sabrage attempt. It is also South Africa's most popular Méthode Cap Classique, the name by which local sparkling wines fermented in the bottle in the style of French Chanpagne are known.

Pongrácz flowed in celebration of the new Guinness World Record. "The Bull run is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year," says Andrew, "and what better way to mark the occasion than with 27 bottles of bubbly and a sabre?!"

To date, the record has been held by Andre Saint Jacques who sabered 21 champagne bottles in one minute at the Bearfoot Bistro, Whistler, Canada on 12 November 2005. "We are delighted to now be home to the new world record right here at The Bull Run Restaurant in Sandton," said an elated Andrew, who believes South Africa has a lot to look forward to in 2010.