cwdjrxyz wrote on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:52:45 -0800 (PST):

c> On Jan 12, 4:22 am, Emery Davis >
wrote:
??>> Thought some might be amused by this story, which I
??>> witnessed with much fanfare on the French news yesterday.
??>>
??>> Belgian customs authorities destroyed over 3000 bottles of
??>> "counterfeit champagne" from CA, labeled "California
??>> Champagne." "Of course there is no such thing," explained
??>> the customs official I saw interviewed.
??>>
??>> The wine from Gallo brand André was destroyed at the cost
??>> and with agreement of the (un-named in the reportage)
??>> owner.

IMHO, Andre is not champagne in that it is a Charmat (bulk
process) sparkling wine, tho' Charmat was French I believe!
However, I admire the ingenuity of companies who get "champagne"
or the like on the label by saying "champagne type" or "Méthode
Champenoise" and I regret any US or other legal attempts to
interfere with this since neither those terms nor the so-called
"traditional method" define the provenance of the grapes, an
area that has increased greatly recently for the convenience of
French makers! What this world needs is another "Judgment of
Paris" for sparkling wines! I'd be tempted to throw in a ringer
bulk-processed wine but I've never had one that I want to drink
twice.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not