Pop the Cork! It's Champagne Day, and Here's Where to Raise a Glass in Malta
Mark your diary for Friday 23 October. That’s Global Champagne Day, which bubbles up on the fourth Friday of October every year. It started back in 2009, when a Californian wine blogger came up with the idea, and it has since grown into a worldwide toast to France’s most famous fizz.
You don’t need to be in Reims to join in. Malta has plenty of lovely spots where a flute feels right at home, and since the big day lands on a Friday, there’s no excuse.
Start in Valletta at Kingsway on Republic Street, a smart café-bar-restaurant that’s a firm favourite with the capital’s champagne crowd. It works just as well for a lunchtime glass as it does for an evening one.
If you like your bubbles with a view, head upstairs. The Rooftop at The Embassy Valletta Hotel, just off Strait Street, sits on the seventh floor beside the hotel’s pool, with the city’s domes spread out in front of you. A short stroll away, O’Sole Rooftop Garden crowns The Manoel Boutique Hotel on Old Theatre Street. It looks straight out at the dome of the Carmelite Basilica and is known for its gorgeous sunset views and live music.
O'Sole Rooftop Garden
Over in St Julian’s, things get glossier. Infinity by Hugo’s sits on top of Hugo’s Boutique Hotel and comes with an infinity pool, panoramic views and its own private champagne bar. For sheer height, try Radio Rooftop at the ME Malta hotel in Mercury Tower, or TwentyTwo up in the Portomaso Business Tower, where the island glitters below you.
Radio Rooftop
Not sure what to order with it? Champagne is far more food-friendly than its fancy reputation suggests. The bubbles and crisp acidity cut through anything salty or fried, so it’s brilliant with a plate of fresh local prawns, a few oysters or even a simple bowl of fries. And remember, only bottles from the Champagne region of France can carry the official name, so check the label if you want the real thing.
Wherever you end up, the rule is simple, chill it well, clink gently and share the moment with #ChampagneDay. Saħħa!
