French Wine Classification and the History of L'Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC): Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever been to France and see all of the different wine labels with French words on them? Have you ever wondered what they meant? Wonder no more! This blog post will discuss L'Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), or French wine classification. We will cover everything from the history of AOC to the different types of wines that fall under its umbrella.
The history of L'Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) dates back to the early 20th century. To protect the reputation of France's wine industry, the French government established AOC in 1935.
AOC is a regulatory system that dictates how wines from specific regions should be produced. There are strict guidelines that winemakers must follow to earn the AOC designation. These guidelines cover everything from the grape variety and yield to vinification methods.
AOC is an abbreviation for Appellation d’origine contrôlée.
What is AOC in French wine?
The AOC system dictates how wines from specific regions should be produced. To earn the AOC designation, winemakers must follow strict guidelines that cover everything from the grape variety and yield to vinification methods.
From the beginning of the 20th century (the law of 1905) onward, the idea of Appellations of Origin grew slowly as a way to fight against fraud. Then, in 1935, a decree was passed to protect the wine market. This law created the Appellation d'origine contrôlée, which applies to wines and Eaux-de-vie, and the organization in charge of defining, protecting, and controlling it. Since 1990, their field has been open to all farm and food products.
Later, the French policy of promoting agricultural products led to European regulations. In 1992, the concept of PDO, the same as the European AOC, was established for products other than wines and Eaux-de-vie.
In 2009, it was expanded to include wines. Since then, the AOP has covered all European wines and agri-food products whose production, processing, and preparation occur in a specific geographical area and follow certain standards and known knowledge. As of January 1, 2012, once a product has been registered at the European level, it must have only the letters "AOP" on it.
What is Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)?
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) refers to a product whose entire production process follows recognized know-how in the same geographic area, giving the product its distinctive qualities. It is a European sign that secures the brand name across the entire European Union.
What does AOC indicate on a wine label?
The AOC designation indicates that a wine has been produced by the strict guidelines set forth by the French government. Therefore, when you see the AOC designation on a wine label, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality, authentic French wine.
Let's now summarize and classify all regulations.
APPELLATION OF ORIGIN CONTROL (AOC) / APPELLATION OF ORIGIN PROTECTED (PDO)
The PDO, the protected designation of origin, corresponds to the identification of origin controlled at the European level (article 93.1 a) and 2. of the regulation (EU)
No. 1308/201
A wine product is identified by the name of a region, a specific area, or, in rare cases, a country (for a list of products, see Article 1, paragraph 2, and Annex I, part XII of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013):
- whose quality and characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to an environment's particular geographical location and the natural and human factors inherent therein;
- made exclusively from grapes from the geographical area in question;
- obtained exclusively from vine varieties of the species Vitis vinifera.
L’INDICATION GEOGRAPHIQUE PROTEGEE (IGP)
The PGI, which stands for "protected geographical indication" (article 93.1 b) of the regulation (EU) n°1308/2013), is a name for a product that refers to a region, a specific place, or, in rare cases, a country.
possessing a particular quality, reputation, or other characteristics
attributable to this geographical origin;
- produced from grapes, of which at least 85% come exclusively from the area
The geographical area considered;
- whose production is limited to the designated geographical area;
- obtained from vine varieties of the species Vitis vinifera or resulting from a cross
between that species and other species of the genus Vitis.
The appellation of origin of a wine is not just a source indication; it also guarantees a certain quality that consumers expect from products of the exact origin. Therefore, two ideas must be considered in protecting designations of origin: it must offer the consumer guarantees of authenticity, and the wine must come from the appellation's region.
The appellation of origin of a wine is not just a source indication; it also guarantees a certain quality that consumers expect from products of the exact origin. Therefore, two ideas must be considered in protecting designations of origin: it must offer the consumer guarantees of authenticity, and the wine must come from the appellation's region.
THE REGISTRATION
The registration of a name, whether a PGI or a PDO, is specifically done to ensure protection against usurpation.
Regulations specific to geographical indications and designations of origin that are found on the national, European, and global levels form the basis for a name's protection. It is also based on the general laws against fraud, deception, unfair competition, and parasitism (the practice of profiting from the notoriety or reputation associated with PDOs or PGIs without being subject to the same laws and restrictions).
INAO should review all applicable wine laws and regulations.
What is INAO?
Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité
Governmental Institute for Origin and Quality
The history of the indicators of origin and quality identification is traced in a 1947 INAO publication. President J. Capus sums up the struggles and considerations that prompted him to suggest to the government in 1935 that the decree-law establishing AOCs for premium wines be adopted.
Joseph Marie Capus
A French agriculturalist and expert on grape vines, lived from 18 August 1867 to 1 May 1947. He was appointed a depute in the French legislative council and served briefly as minister of agriculture in 1924. He was involved in agricultural legislation and was instrumental in bringing about the Appellation d'origine contrôlée for French wines.
The INAO ensures the recognition and protection of official signs identifying the quality and origin (SIQO) of agricultural, agri-food, and forestry products on the strength of its expertise developed over 80 years.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is in charge of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO), a public administrative institution with a legal personality.
The INAO is in charge of carrying out French policy regarding official signs designating the quality and origin of agricultural and agri-food products, including those with the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), Appellation d'origine protégée (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (STG), Label Rouge (LR), and organic farming (AB).
The INAO's quality control program for French agricultural and agri-food products is based on close cooperation between the experts gathered under the umbrella of the defense and management organizations (ODG), the recognized inspection agencies, the State's services, and the Institute.
These indications are present throughout France. The majority of French farms (aside from those producing wine and organic food) have at least one production under an IGP, Label rouge, or AOC/AOP designation, according to the most recent farm structure survey.
In 2020, the INAO oversaw 1,183 products, including 101 AOP food items (including 51 dairy items), two forest AOCs, 363 AOP/AOC wines, 17 AOC spirit drinks, and 5 AOC/AOP ciders and perries. The INAO also oversees 436 Label Rouge products, 74 IGP wines, 35 spirit drinks under IG, 2 IGP ciders, 146 IGP food items, and 2 TSGs. In France, more than 79,000 operators will be working in the organic farming sector by 2020, including producers, processors, distributors, and importers.
