Ficelle

French · string

Ficelle is the string formerly tied by hand over corks, before wire cages replaced it.1

The replacement came in steps. The Union des Maisons de Champagne records a metal clip, the agrafe, patented in 1846, and a tinplate cap, the plaque de muselet, patented in 1844; the first wire cages were made around 1880.1

Today the muselet is fitted by a machine, the museleteuse.2 The wire cage holds the cork against the pressure of the wine, about 6 bar at 20 °C in Champagne.2,3 See history of technique.

See also

Inventions: cork, bottle, riddling, museletHistoryMuseletGlossaryAgrafeGlossaryCork and wire cageMethods

Sources

  1. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). The history of the muselet and its collectable plaque
  2. Union des Maisons de Champagne. Corking and muselage
  3. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche Élaboration du Champagne (FR) (2024-05)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19