champagne
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champagne
A sparkling wine that is grown and produced according to strict rules in the French wine-growing region of Champagne. The name is protected by origin.
Zur Feier des Tages öffneten sie eine Flasche echten Champagner.
To celebrate the occasion, they opened a bottle of real champagne.
In Germany, champagne is strongly associated with luxury, special celebrations such as New Year's Eve or weddings, and toasting a success.
Zur bestandenen Prüfung gab es für alle ein Glas Champagner.
After passing the exam, everyone had a glass of champagne.
As with other drinks, 'Champagner' (champagne) is often used as an uncountable noun (mass noun). You order 'ein Glas Champagner' (a glass of champagne) or buy 'eine Flasche Champagner' (a bottle of champagne), not 'einen Champagner'.
Ich hätte gern eine Flasche gekühlten Champagner, bitte.
I would like a bottle of chilled champagne, please.
To distinguish the genuine sparkling wine from Champagne from other types, the phrase 'echter Champagner' (real champagne) is often used. This emphasizes the protected designation of origin.
Das ist kein Sekt, das ist echter Champagner aus Frankreich.
This isn't Sekt; this is real champagne from France.
In informal usage, 'Champagner' (champagne) is sometimes used generally for any kind of sparkling wine. In a specialist shop or restaurant, this usage would be imprecise and could lead to misunderstandings.
Für die Party reicht auch ein billiger Champagner vom Discounter.
A cheap champagne from the discount supermarket will do for the party too.
sparkling wine
'Sekt' and 'Champagner' are both sparkling wines, meaning wine with carbonation, and people often drink them at celebrations. The important difference lies in origin and naming: strictly speaking, only sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France may be called 'Champagner'. 'Sekt' is the more general German term for sparkling wine, especially from Germany or Austria. The words can be confused because in everyday speech some people also use 'Champagner' loosely for expensive or festive sparkling wine. But precisely speaking: every 'Champagner' is sparkling wine, but not every 'Sekt' is champagne.
Zur Hochzeit bestellte meine Schwester echten Champagner aus Frankreich.
For the wedding, my sister ordered real champagne from France.
Zum Geburtstag hat Sarah eine Flasche Sekt kalt gestellt.
For her birthday, Sarah chilled a bottle of sparkling wine.