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REFERENCE

champagne

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ʃæmˈpeɪn// UK //ʃæmpˈeɪn// cham·pagne Informal

n. a famous white or pink wine with bubbles that comes from a specific part of France. People usually drink it to celebrate special events like weddings or New Year's Eve.

n. a sparkling white or pink wine produced in the Champagne region of France under strict appellation rules. Often used metonymically to refer to any sparkling wine, though this usage is technically incorrect in legal and commercial contexts.


SIMPLE

We opened a bottle of Champagne to celebrate her promotion.

CONTEXTUAL

The waiters circulated through the ballroom, offering guests chilled glasses of Champagne as they arrived for the wedding reception.

COMPLEX

While many regions produce high-quality sparkling wines using the traditional method, only those grown and bottled within the specific chalky soils of Champagne may legally carry the name.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French Champagne. Doublet of Campania.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the liquid in general; countable when referring to a specific glass, bottle, or variety.

Pitfall

We drank a champagne.We drank some champagne.When referring to the drink itself rather than a specific bottle or glass, the word is uncountable.

Idioms1 entry

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