What is the difference between sparkling wine and champagne?

Sparkling wine and Champagne differentiate in their geographical origins, production methods, and labeling regulations. Champagne is exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France, following a highly regulated process known as méthode champenoise. This traditional method involves fermenting the wine in the bottle, resulting in its characteristic effervescence and complex flavors. Sparkling wine, on the other hand, refers to any effervescent wine produced around the world using various methods, such as méthode champenoise, Charmat method, or carbonation. Unlike Champagne, sparkling wine is not limited to a specific region or production method. Furthermore, Champagne enjoys protected designation of origin, meaning only wines produced in the Champagne region can be labeled as such. So, all Champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines can be considered Champagnes.