French Wine Law Flashcards
When was the INAO created and why?
In 1935, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) was created to delimit and enforce France’s wine appellation system
The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system, using early, self-imposed guidelines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a model, stipulated what?
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
When were the first AOCs awarded?
in 1936
In 2007, the INAO, which oversees the protected appellations of wines, spirits, cheeses, and other foodstuffs, became what?
the L’Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité—although it retained its former acronym
The INAO brought its appellation system in line with new EU standards in 2009, and established what category?
Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP)
French AOPs fall within the EU’s Protected Designation of what?
Origin (PDO) category
Going forward, producers may choose to use what on their labels?
AOC or the new AOP designation
In accordance with EU regulations, only what may be used for production?
only Vitis vinifera grapes
What was created in 1949 as a steppingstone to AOC?
The Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS, or AOVDQS) category
What did the INAO eliminate the category of in 2011?
The Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS, or AOVDQS), most advanced to full AOC/AOP status
Making up approximately 29% of French production, what is a less restrictive category of widely varying quality?
Regional wines, released under the Vin de Pays classification
What used to oversee VDP regulations before control of the category was transferred to the INAO after the European reforms were finalized?
VINIFLHOR, a government agricultural office
For VDP what are yields for red/white?
90 hl/ha- white
85 hl/ha- red and rosé
What are VDP min alcohol levels?
9% to 10%
Just as AOC and AOP now coexist, Vin de Pays producers may now choose to label their wines as what?
Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP)
As VDP/IGP fall within the EU’s PGI (Protected Geographic Indication) category, they must be what?
produced from Vitis vinifera vines or hybrids, and a minimum 85% of the grapes must be sourced from the stated geographical area
What are the are three levels of IGP zones?
regional, departmental, and local
What comprise the lowest quality rung of French production?
Table wines (Vin de Table, or Vin Ordinaires)
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?
Vin de France, and both vintage and varietal may now appear on the label
The Vin de France category allowed what?
basic French wines to compete with New World varietal wines
What new practices are approved for table wines?
acidification and the use of oak chips
