France - General Facts & Wine Law

Question 1

Which wine region in France produces the highest volume of wine? Which produces the 2nd most?

Answer 1

Languedoc. Bordeaux is second in volume of production only to the Languedoc.

Question 2

What is France’s largest AOC/AOP region?

Answer 2

Bordeaux is one of France’s most important fine wine regions and is France’s largest AOC/AOP region

Question 3

What is the largest wine growing region in France?

Answer 3

Languedoc-Roussillon

Question 4

What are the only 3 single estate appellations within France today in 2020?

Answer 4

Coulée de Serrant
Romanée Conti
Château-Grillet

Question 5

What is the only AOP in France that allows a rosé to be produced by blending red and white wine?

Answer 5

Champagne is the only AOP in France that allows a rosé to be produced by blending red and white wine.

Question 6

What would a fully-sparkling wine from a “crémant” AOC have on the label? What would it say if it was lightly sparkling?

Answer 6

Fully sparkling wines from the aforementioned appellations will be labeled mousseux (or “crémant” in Savoie), whereas lightly sparkling wines are labeled pétillant.

Question 7

What is the name of France’s longest river?

Answer 7

The Loire is France’s longest river and the last wild river in Europe.

Question 8

What is the French equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 8

Vin de Pays / IGP

Question 9

What is the German equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 9

Landwein = PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 10

What is the Italian equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 10

IGP / Indicazione Geografica Protetta

- Includes Indicazione Geografica Tipica

Question 11

What is the Spanish equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 11

Vino de la Tierra/IGP

Question 12

What is the Portugese equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 12

Vino de la Tierra/IGP

Question 13

What is the Austrian equivalent for the European Union wine law PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)?

Answer 13

Landwein

Question 14

What is the European Union wine law equivalent to French Vin de Pays/IGP?

Answer 14

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 15

What is the European Union wine law equivalent to German Landwein?

Answer 15

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 16

What is the European Union wine law equivalent to Italian Vin de Pays/IGP?

Answer 16

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 17

What is the European Union wine law equivalent to Spanish Vino de la Tierra/IGP?

Answer 17

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 18

What is the European Union wine law equivalent to Austrian Landwein?

Answer 18

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 19

Which region in France produces the most white wine?

Answer 19

The Loire Valley produces more white wine than any other French region and is second only to Champagne in sparkling wine production.

Question 20

Which region in France produces 2nd most sparkling wine?

Answer 20

The Loire Valley produces more white wine than any other French region and is second only to Champagne in sparkling wine production.

Question 21

Which region in France produces the most red wine?

Answer 21

Bordeaux

Question 22

What is the smallest appellation in France?

Answer 22

La Romanée

Question 23

What was the first AOC in France?

Answer 23

1936 - Châteauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC (now AOP) in France.