The wine Champagne is called Champagne because it is named after the region where it is grown, fermented and bottled – Champagne, the north-eastern corner of France, near Paris. The only labels that are legally allowed to bear the name “Champagne” are bottled within 100 miles of this region.

Technically, a wine cannot be called Champagne if it is produced anywhere else.

This means that, if you buy Champagne that’s made in California, you’re not technically buying Champagne; you’re buying sparkling wine.

If you want the bubbly wine without the cost, there are other products that you can buy; Prosecco and sparkling wine will give you basically the same product. However, it won’t be from the Champagne region of France.

As long as you’re willing to make this sacrifice, it could end up saving you quite a bit of money.

Check out AE Club’s two good Champagne buys that are easy on your wallet – the 37.5cl Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut at RM185 and 37.5cl Champagne Palmer Brut Reserve at RM200.