Originally Posted by
osxanalyst
Calling a California sparkling wine "Champagne" is akin to calling a California chardonnay a Chablis or calling a New Zealand sauvignon blanc a Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé.
Actually, not quite apples to apples in your example (or grapes to grapes
).
"Champagne" can be made from different grapes from the Champagne region, even a blend, and often from Chardonnay grapes. A California Sparkling wine could be made from the Chardonnay grape, in the same method, even from vines that originally came from the Champagne region, and can only be called Sparkling Wine because the Champagne region "owns" the rights to name.
A perfect example - Domain Chandon in Napa Valley, whose founding/parent company is Moet-Hennessy. They produce California Sparkling wine in Napa Valley in the same method that they produce Moet & Chandon in Champagne. One is called Champagne, the other is called Sparkling Wine.