French
Wine FAQ
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Can American made sparkling wine be called Champagne?
Question
submitted by Ajoy Bhakat
Champagne
wine is protected by an european regulation called Protected
Designation of Origin (PDO). This european law protects the
names of local products made in Europe.
This law
has been accepted recently by the American administration.
However traditional makers of sparkling wine in the US who
made this kind of wine before the administration accepted
the European law can still call their wine Champagne. But
new sparkling wine in the US cannot wear the name Champagne
on the label any more.
The PDO
law is similar to the AOC (appelation
origine controlée) regulation in France. It protects
cheese products such as Stilton in the UK, Gorgonzola and
Parmesan in Italy, Feta in Greece, Roquefort and Camembert
in France.
Foods
such as Gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano, Asiago cheese, Camembert
de Normandie and Champagne can only be labelled as such if
they come from the designated region.
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