Question submitted by Ajoy Bhakat

Champagne wine is protected by an european regulation called Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This european law protects the names of local products made in Europe.

This law has been accepted recently by the American administration. However traditional makers of sparkling wine in the US who made this kind of wine before the administration accepted the European law can still call their wine Champagne. But new sparkling wine in the US cannot wear the name Champagne on the label any more.

The PDO law is similar to the AOC (appelation origine controlée) regulation in France. It protects cheese products such as Stilton in the UK, Gorgonzola and Parmesan in Italy, Feta in Greece, Roquefort and Camembert in France.

Foods such as Gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano, Asiago cheese, Camembert de Normandie and Champagne can only be labelled as such if they come from the designated region.

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