Champagne and Hollywood: Celebrate Global Champagne Day with an Iconic Movie

There is no denying the role that Champagne has played time and time again in the world of pop culture. From film and television to music, fashion and social media, Champagne continues to be viewed as the pinnacle of sparkling wine, and as a drink that is synonymous with glamour, prestige, and celebration.

In fact, the power of Champagne is such that ‘Global Champagne Day’ has been established as a means for Champagne lovers worldwide to celebrate this prestigious drink. Therefore, with Champagne Day fast approaching on Friday 27 October, The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to highlight some of the blockbuster moments in which Champagne has been presented as the ultimate drink of choice.

The Seven-Year Itch

There is no bigger Champagne habitué than classical Hollywood’s Marilyn Monroe. Known for her glamour and charm, the actress had a well-documented affection for the pinnacle of sparkling wine, having highlighted her career with the iconic Champagne bath shot in one of the suites of Hotel Bel-Air. Champagne played a significant role in The Seven Year Itch, in which Marilyn said that she goes “to sleep with a few drops of Chanel No.5, and [wakes] up with a glass of Champagne”.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Always in a black sheath dress accessorised with a shiny crown and a Tiffany necklace, Audrey Hepburn was the epitome of luxury and prestige and what could be a better fit than Champagne as her drink of choice? In one of the romantic scenes in the movie where the two protagonists try to design the ideal date, Audrey proposed that they should try something new, like having Champagne before Breakfast – ‘I don’t think I’ve ever drunk Champagne before breakfast before. With breakfast on several occasions, but never before.’

Pretty Woman

The modern Cinderella story of ‘Pretty Woman’ is another iconic movie with an interesting reference to Champagne. One of the most memorable scenes was when Julia Roberts drank Champagne, and Richard Gere advised her to drink it with a strawberry to bring out the flavour of the Champagne. In fact, strawberries are often paired with Champagne, particularly Rosé Champagne, as the sweetness of the fresh strawberries complements the aromas around notes of freshness or complex wild berry fruit notes in the Rosé Champagne. Both have similar characteristics, being both fruity and crisp.

James Bond

There was no way Champagne could be missed out of a Bond film. The secret agent has been counted enjoying a glass of Champagne more than fifteen out of twenty-five times in his films. In his movies many Champagne pairings are highlighted as Bond relaxes with a glass of Champagne with buttered toast and eggs. The richness of eggs pairs perfectly with the lightness of Champagne.