French Wine Law

Question 1

When was the INAO created and why?

Answer 1

In 1935, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) was created to delimit and enforce France’s wine appellation system

Question 2

The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, using early, self-imposed guidelines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a model, stipulated what?

Answer 2

limits on yields
vineyard density
training and pruning techniques
grape varietals
methods of production
minimum alcohol levels
minimum must weights
geographical boundaries of each appellation

Question 3

When were the first AOCs awarded?

Answer 3

in 1936

Question 4

In 2007, the INAO, which oversees the protected appellations of wines, spirits, cheeses, and other foodstuffs, became what?

Answer 4

the L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité—although it retained its former acronym

Question 5

The INAO brought its appellation system in line with new EU standards in 2009, and established what category?

Answer 5

Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP)

Question 6

French AOPs fall within the EU’s Protected Designation of what?

Answer 6

Origin (PDO) category

Question 7

Going forward, producers may choose to use what on their labels?

Answer 7

AOC or the new AOP designation

Question 8

In accordance with EU regulations, only what may be used for production?

Answer 8

only Vitis vinifera grapes

Question 9

What was created in 1949 as a steppingstone to AOC?

Answer 9

The Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS, or AOVDQS) category

Question 10

What did the INAO eliminate the category of in 2011?

Answer 10

The Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS, or AOVDQS), most advanced to full AOC/AOP status

Question 11

Making up approximately 29% of French production, what is a less restrictive category of widely varying quality?

Answer 11

Regional wines, released under the Vin de Pays classification

Question 12

What used to oversee VDP regulations before control of the category was transferred to the INAO after the European reforms were finalized?

Answer 12

VINIFLHOR, a government agricultural office

Question 13

For VDP what are yields for red/white?

Answer 13

90 hl/ha- white

85 hl/ha- red and rosé

Question 14

What are VDP min alcohol levels?

Answer 14

9% to 10%

Question 15

Just as AOC and AOP now coexist, Vin de Pays producers may now choose to label their wines as what?

Answer 15

Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP)

Question 16

As VDP/IGP fall within the EU’s PGI (Protected Geographic Indication) category, they must be what?

Answer 16

produced from Vitis vinifera vines or hybrids, and a minimum 85% of the grapes must be sourced from the stated geographical area

Question 17

What are the are three levels of IGP zones?

Answer 17

regional, departmental, and local

Question 18

What comprise the lowest quality rung of French production?

Answer 18

Table wines (Vin de Table, or Vin Ordinaires)

Question 19

Previously, table wines could not state varietal, vintage, or place of origin on the label. As of 2009, the table wine category was rechristened as what?

Answer 19

Vin de France, and both vintage and varietal may now appear on the label

Question 20

The Vin de France category allowed what?

Answer 20

basic French wines to compete with New World varietal wines

Question 21

What new practices are approved for table wines?

Answer 21

acidification and the use of oak chips