You've Been Drinking Champagne Wrong All Your Life: Sommelier Dispels Myths

Most likely, you drank champagne incorrectly. Not to worry, though, as expert Yann Meunier, a native of the Champagne region and sommelier at GH Mumm, shares his tips on how to enjoy this drink the right way.

Let's start with the main question: what should a great champagne taste like? Yann explains: “Delicious Champagne offers the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. It should have a complexity of flavors, from fresh fruit to more mature notes like brioche or hazelnut, and the aftertaste should be long and pleasant, accented by delicate bubbles.”

Visually, he says, a good glass champagne is characterized by purity, sparkle and effervescence, and the color can vary from pale gold to rich gold.

One of the common myths about champagne concerns the size of the bubbles. Yann elaborates:

“The size of the bubbles is not the main indicator of the quality of champagne. Although small bubbles are often associated with high quality, balance, complexity and finish are more important. The size of the bubbles also depends on the size of the glass: the higher the height, the bigger the bubbles.”

As for serving rules, Yann recommends serving champagne chilled, but not iced. , at a temperature of six to eight degrees Celsius for an aperitif and up to 12 degrees for the main course. Pour slowly, tilting the glass to preserve bubbles, and don't fill the glass more than two-thirds full.

Glass choice also matters. Yann recommends avoiding glasses that are too narrow or too wide, which can disrupt the effervescence or block the aromas. He advises choosing a white wine glass or a rounded corrugation: “These shapes concentrate the aromas and enhance the taste sensations.”

Common mistakes, according to Yann, are serving champagne too hot or cold, choosing the wrong glass or overfilling it. . Tasting champagne is a complete sensory experience, so you should enjoy both the color, aromas and effervescence of this drink.