Mat <Ask@me> wrote:

> It is called "sparkling" if it is not produced in France, I
> think it even has to be produced by one of the ~40 000 producers
> in Champagne to be called Champagne.

I don't quite get what you want to say, but according to Frech
(and EU) regulations, to be called "Champagne", the growing of the
grapes, the vinification, the second fermentation and the final
make-up have to happen within the legal boundaries of the
"Champagne viticole" area. There is no bulk wine shipping outside,
for the simple reason that champagne grape prices are just about
the highest in the world.

Just for the matter of records: You can buy slightly fortified
(16%abv) base wines from the Charente in bulk to distill it into
Brandy, but of course you are not entitled to call it "Cognac",
even if the base wines come from the right origin.

M.