On 2008-11-14, James Silverton > wrote:

> Nonsense! Pinot Noir from NZ or the US is good and Champagne from
> California always is too! I have to admit that French companies based
> there make pretty good Champagne even if they won't bring themselves to
> call it that.

I disagree, but that's ok. It's all a matter of taste.

Turns out, after getting quite deep into the CA wine world, I ended up
preferring several French wines over their CA counterpart. Champagne is one
of these. I still don't believe French brands, say, Mumm, which now has
vineyards in CA, is as good as the French product. Same with CA chards.
I'll take a FR white burgundy every time, CA chards being too rich and oakey
for my tastes.

As for the champagne monicker, hey, it's France's rule. They gotta stick by
it or everyone would break it.

nb