What do Winston Churchill, Jay-Z, and Kim Kardashian have in common? Not much, you’d think—except for their shared love of Champagne. From the royal courts of Europe to Hollywood’s red carpets and Instagram’s glossy feeds, Champagne has always found itself in the hands of icons. But it’s not just a drink; it’s a statement, a celebration, and sometimes a little rebellion in a glass.
Picture it: Napoleon ordering cases of Moët & Chandon to celebrate his victories (or drown his defeats), Coco Chanel sipping it like liquid creativity while sketching timeless designs, or Jay-Z giving Cristal the cold shoulder and launching his own Champagne empire. This bubbly co-star has been quietly sparkling through history’s most glamorous moments, saying just as much as the people holding the glass.
Champagne hasn’t just toasted alongside the rich and famous—it’s played a role in shaping their image. Whether it’s James Bond suavely popping a bottle of Bollinger, Gatsby’s Champagne towers symbolizing the wild excess of the Roaring Twenties, or Kim Kardashian breaking the internet with a well-placed Champagne glass on her backside—this golden liquid has always had a flair for the dramatic.
Let’s take a closer look at how Champagne went from a royal indulgence to a must-have accessory for kings, celebrities, and pop culture icons. Because when it comes to making a statement, Champagne speaks volumes without saying a word.
Setting the Scene: How Champagne Became a Symbol of Luxury and Power
Champagne’s rise to cultural prominence began with the royal courts of Europe. In the early 18th century, Louis XIV, the Sun King, made Champagne a royal favorite. This association with royalty and prestige set the tone for Champagne’s cultural rise. He was not alone in his adoration; Marie Antoinette is famously rumored to have commissioned the design of the coupe glass based on the shape of her breast, symbolizing decadence and luxury. The coupe’s connection to luxury and opulence has been immortalized in numerous fashion photography campaigns and even graced the visuals of luxury Champagne brands like Moët & Chandon, where the drink is not just poured but celebrated as a symbol of decadence and freedom, much like it was in the 18th century. Whether myth or fact, this tale became part of Champagne’s allure, reinforcing its ties to opulence.
Fast forward to the Napoleonic era, where Napoleon Bonaparte’s love for Moët & Chandon made it the official Champagne of the Imperial Court. Napoleon’s victories—and defeats—were marked with Champagne. This contributed to the notion that Champagne is the drink for both victory and solace, a sentiment still echoed in celebratory moments today.
In the modern era, Champagne seamlessly became part of Hollywood’s DNA. When Winston Churchill became a global figure during WWII, his publicized fondness for Pol Roger furthered the idea that Champagne wasn’t just for celebrations, but also for resilience and class. Churchill’s Pol Roger was so beloved that after his passing, Odette Pol-Roger had black bands placed on every bottle sent to the UK in his honor—a testament to the deep personal relationships Champagne can form.
Champagne made its way to the fashion runways of the 20th century through Coco Chanel, whose life epitomized elegance and freedom. Chanel’s famous quote, “I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I’m in love and when I’m not,” beautifully summed up the idea that Champagne was not just a drink, but a lifestyle choice. It was now part of the very fabric of fashion and art, woven into the creative process. Karl Lagerfeld followed suit, stocking Champagne in Chanel’s ateliers, considering it a creative catalyst.
Preferred Champagnes of Kings, Celebrities, and Icons
Champagne has long been the drink of choice for the powerful, the stylish, and the iconic.
Winston Churchill and Pol Roger
Throughout history, Champagne preferences have not only reflected personal tastes but also helped shape their cultural image. Winston Churchill, who credited Pol Roger with helping him survive the war, was a noted fan of the house’s Brut. The relationship was so profound that Pol Roger created a special vintage in his honor, immortalizing the British Prime Minister’s love for their Champagne. Churchill once famously said, “In victory, I deserve it. In defeat, I need it.” His unapologetic indulgence in Pol Roger not only painted him as a wartime leader but also as a man who lived life fully, even in dark times.
Napoleon Bonaparte and Moët & Chandon
Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte was a loyal fan of Moët & Chandon, often ordering cases of it to celebrate his victories. This tradition led to the legendary quote often attributed to him: “In victory, you deserve Champagne; in defeat, you need it.” Champagne became part of Napoleon’s victory narrative, a sparkling symbol of success carried through history.
Modern Celebrities and Their Iconic Champagne Choices
In more modern times, Champagne continues to reflect personal legacy and power.
Elon Musk, known for his futuristic vision, has been spotted with Cristal, emphasizing his avant-garde approach not only to technology but also to personal indulgences. Meanwhile, reality TV star and beauty mogul Kim Kardashian has taken to social media with her own Champagne moments, creating viral imagery that aligns Champagne with the life of excess she showcases. Her iconic ‘break the internet’ Paper Magazine shoot, where she balanced a Champagne glass on her back, became a symbol not just of her brand but of Champagne’s ability to represent spectacle and grandeur in the modern era. Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, leans toward Dom Pérignon at celebrations. The preference of these business magnates isn’t just about taste; it’s a statement of success, achievement, and dominance.
Barack Obama, after his 2008 election victory, celebrated with Moët & Chandon, and during his inauguration parties, bottles of Taittinger flowed. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron has toasted diplomatic successes with Veuve Clicquot, continuing the long-standing French tradition of using Champagne as a diplomatic tool. It’s a modern extension of a political narrative that elevates Champagne beyond simple luxury into the realm of symbolic success.
Hollywood icons also have their Champagne preferences. Leonardo DiCaprio is a regular feature at Cannes, where Cristal is often his Champagne of choice. George Clooney, a fixture at Hollywood’s elite gatherings, is known to have a penchant for Krug Grande Cuvée, symbolizing both luxury and elegance. In these glamorous worlds, Champagne isn’t just a beverage; it’s a cultural statement, aligning the individual with the highest echelons of success.
Champagne on the Big Screen: From James Bond to Gatsby
Few drinks are as cinematic as Champagne. It isn’t just featured in films; it defines characters, sets moods, and adds depth to the world they inhabit.
James Bond and Bollinger
Perhaps no character better encapsulates this connection than James Bond, who has always favored Bollinger, a nod to the British agent’s refined yet extravagant lifestyle. Bond’s love for Bollinger began in Live and Let Die and continues through the Daniel Craig era in Spectre, where Bollinger R.D. took center stage, symbolizing Bond’s taste for exclusivity and sophistication. Bond’s preference for Bollinger, a French Champagne, also highlights his cosmopolitan character—a British man of action with global tastes. In fact, Bollinger even partnered with EON Productions to release Bond-themed limited editions, reinforcing this deep connection between Bond’s glamorous world and the luxury of Champagne.
Bond’s exacting choice of Bollinger also mirrors his character complexity. While Bond might shake up his Martini preferences, his unwavering loyalty to Bollinger reflects his consistency in taste for high-end exclusivity. As Pierce Brosnan once remarked, “Bond’s Champagne is as much a part of his character as his tailored tuxedos.”
Even today, Bollinger’s association with Bond remains strong, with limited edition Bond-themed Champagnes continuing to grace luxury collections worldwide, merging the intrigue of espionage with Champagne’s refined status.
The Great Gatsby and Moët & Chandon
Another unforgettable moment comes from The Great Gatsby (2013), where Champagne flows endlessly, symbolizing the decadence of the Roaring Twenties. Gatsby’s extravagant parties, complete with Champagne towers and wild excess, gave Moët & Chandon a starring role. The Champagne, like Gatsby himself, represented the pursuit of the American Dream, an embodiment of glamour masking deeper complexities. The iconic Champagne tower scene symbolized Gatsby’s yearning for success and acceptance in a world of wealth and social mobility. This isn’t just Champagne—it’s status and desire, perfectly paired with Gatsby’s larger-than-life parties, full of extravagance and fleeting moments of happiness. In this cinematic world, Champagne becomes a mirror to Gatsby’s own ambitions.
Champagne and Hollywood’s Golden Era: An Icon of Glamour
Champagne’s presence in film isn’t limited to these modern blockbusters. In Hollywood’s Golden Era, Cary Grant chose Champagne as the perfect prop for charm and sophistication. In To Catch a Thief, his suave image is accentuated through Champagne, making the audience feel like they are sneaking into a world of luxury and intrigue alongside him. From Marilyn Monroe’s playful use of Champagne in Some Like it Hot, pouring it into her shoe, to Audrey Hepburn’s flirtatious indulgence in Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Piper-Heidsieck, Champagne became a visual shorthand for desire, luxury, and playful flirtation.
Champagne and Celebrities: The Instagram Effect
In today’s digital world, Champagne’s presence has expanded beyond the red carpet and the big screen, firmly establishing itself as a cultural currency on social media platforms like Instagram. No longer just a drink for the elite, Champagne has become a visual symbol of success and aspirational luxury. Influencers, celebrities, and musicians regularly use Champagne to craft their curated lifestyles, turning a simple toast into a moment of status, captured and shared with millions of followers.
Take Kylie Jenner, for instance. Her Instagram feed, a showcase of opulent poolside glamour, often features bottles of Dom Pérignon and Cristal, carefully placed as props that subtly reinforce her image of youth, wealth, and indulgence. For Jenner, Champagne is more than a drink; it’s an extension of her personal brand, synonymous with the glitz and glamour of a life few can replicate.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a regular at exclusive events like Cannes, is often spotted toasting with Cristal on luxury yachts. For DiCaprio, Champagne not only symbolizes personal achievement but also his environmental philanthropy, making the drink a metaphor for balancing indulgence with responsibility. His presence on Instagram and in social media circles subtly links Champagne with conscious luxury—a new wave of fame where wealth coexists with ethics.
But no star has transformed the role of Champagne in the public eye more than Jay-Z. In the mid-2000s, Cristal, which had long been the go-to Champagne for high-profile rappers and hip-hop moguls, became embroiled in controversy when its managing director, Frédéric Rouzaud, made dismissive comments about the brand’s association with the hip-hop community. In response, Jay-Z famously called for a boycott of Cristal, shifting the power dynamic within the Champagne industry. Shortly afterward, he embraced Armand de Brignac—better known as Ace of Spades—and turned it into his signature brand. Jay-Z would later purchase the brand, transforming it into a billion-dollar symbol of success.
In both his music videos and social media posts, Jay-Z consistently showcases Ace of Spades, reinforcing Champagne’s image as an emblem of wealth and triumph. It’s more than just a bottle; for Jay-Z, Champagne represents a journey from entrepreneurship to empire, a symbol that resonates across business, music, and pop culture. His influence has forever intertwined hip-hop culture with Champagne, proving that luxury branding is as much about the person behind the product as the product itself.
This new wave of influence extends beyond musicians. Elon Musk, while better known for rockets than bubbles, has been spotted celebrating milestones with Champagne, reinforcing the idea that even the future of technology deserves a toast from the past. Kim Kardashian has used Champagne as part of her social media branding, creating viral moments like her famous “break the internet” shoot with Paper Magazine, where she balanced a Champagne glass on her backside. The stunt wasn’t just about the drink; it was about celebrating excess and spectacle, aligning her brand with the over-the-top glamour of modern celebrity culture. It has become an accessory to moments of celebration that her millions of followers aspire to replicate.
On Instagram, Champagne now serves as a status marker for the world’s elite. Celebrities like Cardi B, in her hit song “Money,” shout out Dom Pérignon and Cristal, transforming the drinks into symbols of self-made wealth and success. The bottles become metaphors for grandeur, reflecting the celebrity journey from struggle to triumph.
Champagne is no longer confined to the upper echelons of society. Thanks to social media, it has infiltrated pop culture, becoming a public signal of victory, excess, and aspiration. Whether it’s poolside with Kylie Jenner, or in a celebratory toast with Jay-Z, Champagne’s omnipresence in modern celebrity life reveals that it is more than a drink—it’s a digital icon, capturing the essence of modern fame.
Champagne Icons—From Celebration to Cultural Currency
Champagne, with its effervescent bubbles, has evolved far beyond just a celebratory drink. It has become a cultural symbol, a currency of luxury, power, and success that transcends time and trends. From the royal courts of Louis XIV to modern Instagram influencers, Champagne has woven itself into the fabric of society, fashion, film, and pop culture.
What began as a favored drink of Napoleon and Winston Churchill, both leaders who shaped history, now resonates with global icons like Jay-Z, Kylie Jenner, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Whether it’s gracing the tables of royal courts, defining characters in Hollywood blockbusters, or becoming a prop in the curated glamour of social media feeds, Champagne’s allure remains timeless.
More than just a beverage, Champagne symbolizes victory and solace, celebration and resilience—a drink for moments of triumph and a salve for times of defeat. It continues to be a marker of status and aspiration, whether enjoyed by movie stars on the big screen or shared on Instagram by modern celebrities to millions of followers.In the end, Champagne represents our collective desire for the extraordinary, a tangible expression of indulgence that speaks to both individual achievement and universal celebration. As long as society craves symbols of elegance, opulence, and success, Champagne will remain at the heart of it all, shimmering in its eternal glow.