Champagne demand forces French expansion

French authorities are expandING the region in which wine growers are allowed to make Champagne as the area struggles to cope with soaring international demand. Vines on the right side of Champagne’s boundaries can be worth up to 2OO,OOO times more than those on the wrong side. Officials have decided to amend a law, which has not been changed since 1927, defining the AOC or “appellation d’origine contrôlée” of Champagne. The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) expected to redraw the boundaries of the famous Champagne-Ardenne region in March, expanding the 33,5OO-hectare region to include up to 4O villages. At present, 317 villages are considered to be surrounded by the right soil, and to have the right weather conditions, to produce grapes of sufficient quality for Champagne production.
 -Daily Telegraph