As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have often encountered the question of why California can call their sparkling wine “Champagne.” To understand this, we need to delve into the historical and legal aspects surrounding the use of the term “Champagne” on wine labels.
The term “Champagne” originally referred to sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France. Champagne has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the finest sparkling wines in the world. The unique combination of climate, soil, and winemaking techniques in Champagne contributes to the distinct character and quality of its wines.
In the early days of winemaking in California, producers sought to emulate the sparkling wines of Champagne. They used similar grape varieties and adopted traditional winemaking methods, including the labor-intensive méthode champenoise, which involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the signature bubbles.
California winemakers initially labeled their sparkling wines as “California Champagne” to differentiate them from other still wines produced in the region. This usage of the term was not uncommon at the time, as many regions around the world were using terms like “Champagne” and “Burgundy” to describe wines that were made in a similar style to those produced in the corresponding French regions.
However, this practice raised concerns among French wine producers, who argued that the use of terms like “Champagne” on non-French wines could mislead consumers and dilute the reputation of their own products. In response to these concerns, the United States and the European Union reached an agreement in 2006, known as the “Wine Accord,” which restricted the use of certain semi-generic names on wine labels.
Under the Wine Accord, the American government agreed that “California Champagne,” along with several other semi-generic names like “Chablis” and “Sherry,” would no longer appear on domestic wine labels, unless a producer was already using one of those names. This meant that winemakers who had been using the term “California Champagne” before the agreement could continue to do so, but new producers could no longer use the term.
The reasoning behind this agreement was to protect the integrity and geographical indications of wines from specific regions. It aimed to prevent the misleading use of terms that could confuse consumers about the origin and quality of the wines they were purchasing. By restricting the use of terms like “Champagne” to wines produced in Champagne, the agreement sought to preserve the unique identity and reputation of the region's sparkling wines.
It's important to note that this agreement only applies to the labeling of wines for sale within the United States. Outside of the U.S., the use of terms like “California Champagne” is generally not allowed, as many countries adhere to the international standards set by organizations like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which protect geographical indications.
California can call its sparkling wine “Champagne” due to historical practices and the Wine Accord agreement. While the use of the term may be controversial and restricted in some regions, it is still allowed for certain producers who were already using it before the agreement. However, it's important for consumers to be aware of the distinction between true Champagne from the Champagne region of France and sparkling wine produced elsewhere, including California.