California Champagne?

In a small victory for proponents of geographic authenticity in wines and wine labels, Decanter has an entertaining video of cases of California “Champagne” being destroyed. What I don’t understand is how California wineries can still get away with using another region’s name in their labeling. With the American Viticultural Area designations firmly established, I don’t see how wineries can justify protecting their regions while clearly taking advantage of the reputation of another region. If a Texan using the term Napa Valley Cabernet is forbidden, how can Paul Masson Chablis or Korbel California Champagne be acceptable?

To read more about AVAs you can visit either of the following links:

http://wiki.wineinstitute.org/wiki/American_Viticultural_Areas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Viticultural_Area#References

 

Paper of Plastic? Glass please.

There is much commentary on newfangled wine packaging, from Tetra Paks to plastic (PET) bottles, to bag in box.  I thought I would weigh in, but I made the mistake of "doing research"…the net is a very very large resource. 

To me, there are two main issues: 1) does the new packaging provide added benefit; and 2) does it impact the taste of the wine?

 

Read all of Paper of Plastic? Glass please.