Originally Posted by
baccarat_king
It is impossible to be Cognac if it's from California, same as it's impossible to be Champagne if it's produced in California.
Cognac and Champagne are "region specific" beverages with very specific regulations vis-a-vis the grow areas and grapes.
And no feta or parmesan (or many others for that matter) cheese for you, from Wisconsin that is! The region specific mandate/copyright is a bit of protectionism being pushed by the EU. The number of people that could blind taste test high quality products from different parts of the world is very small. There should be nothing that prevents someone from trying to make something in the style of another region.