Written on 18/10/2021
All you need to know about the different appellations
It's no longer a secret. The world of wine is full of notions. Last week, for example, we looked at the difference between natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
Today, we're going to explain everything you need to know about the many appellations, from AOC to AOP to IGP, so that you'll no longer have any secrets.
AOC wines
The appellation d'origine contrôlée is undoubtedly one of the most widespread. It first appeared in France in the 1930s. It was introduced to combat fraud and protect the name of the wine and the estate. The AOC also protects and regulates the specificities and numerous characteristics of a delimited territory. As well as being one of the most widespread, it is also the most prestigious French appellation , as it is subject to the strictest specifications.
To qualify for the AOC label issued by the INAO (Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité), the winemaker must meet a number of criteria, including the location of the vineyard, the grape variety used, the yield per hectare, the winemaking technique and the alcohol content. This requirement makes it extremely qualitative.
PDO wine
The protected designation of origin arrived much later in France, in 2009. It is virtually identical to the AOC, but with a European dimension. The AOP is the European equivalent of the AOC. For a wine to obtain the protected designation of origin, it must have previously obtained the appellation d'origine contrôlée.
PGI
The Protected Geographical Indication was first introduced in 1992, and has European resonance. In 2009, it replaced the French appellation "Vins de Pays", which was created in 1968. The latter was designed to promote the production of wine from a specific geographical area, such as Val-de-Loire, Pays-d'Oc or Côtes-de-Gascogne. Like the AOC, it is subject to precise, but more flexible, specifications designed to protect the wines and at least one stage of cultivation or signification in the area covered by the appellation. The PGI leaves a certain amount of freedom to winegrowers, and is grouped into three types: regional PGIs, departmental PGIs and small areas.
Wines of France
Formerly known as "vins de table", the Vins de France appellation is extremely flexible. It is not subject to any specific geographical area or specifications.
