Rules on California wines have always been somewhat lax as well. I'm not sure anymore of geographic constraints, but I do remember that if 51% of the grapes are of the named variety, the wine can be labelled as such. Apellation laws are all well and good but only as effective as the respect paid them by other governments. The French believe that only wine made in its own bottle in the region of Champagne should be called Champagne and have appellation laws to that end. California wineries, even some that are quite reputable, use the term champagne to refer to any white sparkling wine.

Bob