Why is Korbel labeled 'Champagne' if it's from California?

In 2006 the US and EU signed a wine-trade agreement banning new use of 'Champagne' on non-French wine, but it included a grandfather clause protecting US producers already using the term. Korbel has labeled its wine 'California Champagne' since the late 1800s, making it one of the grandfathered brands — federal rules also require the true place of origin, California, to appear alongside the label.

What's the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?

Champagne must be made in the Champagne region of France; sparkling wine is the broader category covering Champagne plus every other bottle-fermented or tank-method bubbly made elsewhere in the world, including Korbel's California-grown, traditional-method sparkling wine.

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America's Champagne Korbel Brut California Champagne

Sparkling Wine•750ml•12% ABV

Korbel Brut California Champagne

Name: Korbel Brut California Champagne
SKU: prod-champ-35
Price: 15 USD
Availability: InStock

Korbel has crafted sparkling wine in the Russian River Valley since the 19th century, fermenting each bottle individually in the méthode champenoise style from a blend of California Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. It's the crowd-pleasing bubbly behind countless American toasts.