Not the region (yet). The word.
MOSCOW — For most aficionados, a sparkling wine can be called champagne only if it comes from the region of France with that name and is made under certain regulations. A new Russian law makes the counter-claim that the word can be used only for Russian wine.
The law has sparked controversy and the renowned winemaker Moet-Hennessy said Monday it was suspending champagne shipments to Russia. The law that was adopted on Friday allows the term to used only for “Russian champagne.”
Can I root for injuries here? ABC didn’t exactly point out that “most aficionados” actually means “EU bureaucrats who think they can use the muscle of extranational law to protect the little fiefdoms that pass for business in Europe”.