France Flashcards
When was the French appellation system first created & delimited? By whom?
In 1935 by the INAO
What 9 things do the INAO regulate?
yields
vine density
training & pruning
grape varieties
production methods
aging
minimum abv
minimum must weight
geographical boundaries
Why does the INAO regulate the big 9 wine factors?
To preserve historical associations
To promote quality grape growing
To promote quality wine making
Standardizing wine by place makes it simple to anticipate and sell wine as a somm or other wine professional
What were the first two AOCs in france? When were they established?
CdP and Ruilly in 1936
Do AOC wines represent the best of French wine?
No, the system’s too bloated with dissolved & absorbed VDQS.
What’s the difference between AOC & AOP?
AOP is the EU quality wine designation modeled after France’s AOC label. As of 2009 they’re interechangeable.
What are AOCs like?
Nesting dolls, they can overlap or fit inside one another.
What are VdP wines?
Regional wines, Vins de Pays, aren’t as strict with production standards but aren’t as prestigious, so they’re used to mass produce lower quality wines.
Do VdP wines have an EU equivalent designation?
IGP
What is the lowest french wine quality designation? How are they labeled to compete on a global scale?
Vin de France or Vin de Table vintage & variety labeled to compete on a global scale.
What is the only AOC that can varietally label their wines at the AOC level?
Alsace
