So, what makes Champagne so expensive? Champagne is often used as a generic term for sparkling wine. But, in fact, Champagne is only true Champagne if it's made here, in Champagne. About 150 ...

But to serve a lesser sparkler seems, well, cheap. The fact is, not all Champagnes are expensive and many non-Champagne sparklers are first rate in every respect, from their bubbles to their balance.