France - General Flashcards
What is the INAO? When was it founded? What does it do?
The INAO is the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine. It was created in 1935 to delimit and enforce France’s wine appellation system.
What was the model the INAO used for the AOC system?
The INAO used the self-imposed guidelines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape as a model for the AOC system.
This stipulated limits on yields, vineyard density, training systems, pruning techniques, allowable varietals, minimum alcohol levels, minimum must weights, and geographical boundaries.
When did INAO award the first AOCs? What were they?
The INAO awarded the first AOC designations in 1936 to Arbois (Jura), Chateaneuf-du-Pape (Rhone), Tavel (Rhone), Cassis (Provence), and Monbazillac (SW France)
What happened to the INAO in 2007?
It was renamed the L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualite. The acronym, however, remains “INAO.”
What happened to the INAO in 2009?
2009 saw the INAO bringing the AOC system in line with the European Union’s AOP system.
How do AOCs and AOPs differ?
They are largely similar, but AOPs are pan-European. Producers who qualify for both can use either one or the other on bottles.
What was VDQS? What purpose did it serve? When and why was it eliminated?
VDQS stands for Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure. It was a category created in 1949 as a stepping stone toward AOC designation.
INAO was eliminated in 2011, with most VDQS regions becoming full AOC/AOPs, and regional wines were reclassified as Vin de Pays, which is less restrictive than AOC wines.
What are the maximum yields for white wines, red/rose wines, and total yields per hectare for Vin de Pays?
White: 90hL/hA
Red/Rose: 85hL/hA
Total: 100hL/hA
Besides restrictions on yield, what other controls must Vin de Pays wines observe?
Wines must be submitted to tasting panels for approval, have minimum alcohol of 9% or 10% depending on region, source a minimum of 85% of grapes from within the specified region, and observe limits on added sulfur and total acidity.
What is the name of the EU designation that is roughly analagous to Vin de Pays?
Vin de Pays is roughly analagous to the EU’s PGI designation.
Vins de Table no longer exist in the French production system and have been replaced with what?
Vins de Table became Vins de France in 2009. The change allowed vintage and variety to appear on the label, which was previously not permitted.
Vin de France designation allows for both acidification and the use of oak chips and staves in winemaking.
