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Words by by Harper’s Bazaar UK

Plus, the modern rules for enjoying a glass

The party season is upon us – and this year, we’re more eager than ever to pop the champagne. But are you familiar with the finer points of drinking sparkling wine?

As Oscar Wilde said, “pleasure without champagne is purely artificial”, but how should you consume this most celebratory of drinks – and, most importantly, which bottle is truly the best?

You might know how to pour a glass elegantly, or which brands you prefer to gravitate towards, but what does the modern etiquette of champagne drinking look like? Before the year’s long-awaited parties kick in, we spoke to Daniel Brennan, brand director at Laurent-Perrier, who reveals the modern rules.

LEAVE FLUTES AND COUPES IN THE CUPBOARD

The shape of a your glass is more important than you may believe – it actually affects the aroma and flavours. The bowl of a tulip-shaped champagne glass best enhances the smell of a champagne, allowing the scent to develop to its fullest.

STORE IT WELL

“Champagne should be stored in a well-chilled environment at a temperature of around 6 to 10°C,” says Brennan. “The bottles are best stored on their side, and should be kept away from bright or artificial light.”

MAKE IT A MAGNUM

When the occasion calls for a grand gesture, only a magnum will do. The equivalent of two regular bottles, a magnum is perfect for four or six guests to share – and makes a bit of a show-stopper, too.

PERFECT YOUR POUR

“When serving, start by pouring a little champagne into each glass to allow the bubbles to settle,” explains Brennan. “Once you’ve added to all glasses, return to the first and its foam should already have settled, making the champagne less likely to froth. Do not tilt the glass, it’s not a beer! Simply pour the champagne gently down the inside of the glass for the perfect serve.”

PAIR IT PROPERLY

According to Brennan, the first thing to consider when pairing champagne with food is to look at the levels of sweetness and salt in your menu. “When accompanying sweet dishes, champagne can taste bitter and less fruity, so it’s best to match dessert with an even sweeter champagne.”

“Salty dishes do the opposite and make champagne taste fruitier, as well as balancing out the acidity of the drink. For instance, a classic shepherd’s pie really brings out the pronounced summer berry flavours in Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée Rosé.”

CONSIDER ROSÉ

Rosé champagne is going from strength to strength. A recent report by Decanter revealed sales rose 188 per cent at Sainsbury’s in 2021, which is a spike considerably higher than traditional champagne.

TWEAK THE TEMPERATURE

“The important thing to remember is the chilling temperature determines the rate at which bubbles in a champagne are released,” says Brennan. “For this, I’d recommend a chilling temperature of 4.5 to 7˚C. If the champagne is too cold this will slow down the bubble formation and could impair the aroma and taste. However, champagne should not be opened at room temperature as the wine will quickly froth up and go flat, which is not ideal when hosting.”

OPEN WITH CARE (AND A LITTLE DRAMA)

Two easy tips for successfully opening a bottle of champagne: always keep your thumb firmly on the cork once the muselet (wire cage) is off, and always twist the bottle not the cork. This will ensure the cork eases off without any spillage.

EXPLORE DEMI-SEC

Sec and demi-sec champagnes are great wines to serve with dessert. Their level of sweetness always comes with great freshness, which is a specific champagne trait. A good bottle will really lift the end of a meal (and get guests ready for dancing).

CONSIDER YOUR LIPSTICK

And finally, a tip that may surprise you. The oil in lipstick can kill the mousse (the light foamy head that forms after pouring a glass), so be wary of re-applying before you welcome your guests if you want to enjoy your bubbles at their best.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect aperitif in the sunshine or something extra-special to celebrate with, we’ve identified the best champagnes to have on stand-by (or, choose from our edit of rosé champagne or English sparkling).

DON’T BE LED BY PRICE

Remember, the ‘best’ champagne is the champagne you like best and that you share with friends and family.

The very best champagne to indulge in this season