The Oscars aren't just about celebrating cinema; they're also about celebrating the Hollywood lifestyle. From red carpets to exclusive after-parties and the famous Governors Ball, every detail is designed to embody the glamour of cinema's most important night. And among the symbols of this ritual, the champagne toast remains an essential tradition.
For the 98th Academy Awards, which will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the official glass of the evening will once again be that of the French maison Piper-Heidsieck, a historic label already associated with the event in past years.
The Reims Champagne house thus returns to the spotlight on Hollywood's most glamorous night, serving its bubbles not only during the ceremony, but also at major Oscar-related events, from the Governors Ball to the Academy Museum Gala.
The toast is anything but symbolic. During the Oscars, around 7.000 glasses of Champagne are served for the more than a thousand guests, including actors, directors, producers, and other prominent figures from the global film industry.
The highlight comes at the Governors Ball, the official Oscars after-party, where star chef Wolfgang Puck, for the 32nd time, leads the kitchen team that prepares the evening's grand buffet. The menu includes over 70 different dishes, from gourmet mini pizzas to Wagyu burgers, to the famous desserts featuring golden chocolate statuettes.
Between awards, guests can toast not only with Champagne, but also with select wines from Domaine Clarence Dillon, personally chosen by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, and with premium sake served in the evening's cocktail bars.
The relationship between Champagne and cinema is as old as Hollywood itself. The great French houses have always seen the world of cinema as a natural showcase for their style and luxury image.
In the case of Piper-Heidsieck, the connection is particularly iconic: the maison has historically been associated with Hollywood stars and even Marilyn Monroe, who declared that she started her day with a glass of this Champagne.
The brand's return to the 2026 Oscars thus strengthens a partnership between cinema and French sparkling wines that has lasted for decades.
Between flashes of photographers, couture gowns, and golden statuettes, the Oscar toast is much more than a simple celebratory gesture. It's a global media ritual that unites fashion, cinema, and haute cuisine.
And while the statuettes are being awarded on stage, in the halls of the Governors Ball the Hollywood stars raise their glasses: because on the most important night in cinema, the toast is always—strictly—based on Champagne.