Wine lesson: AOC

The editors at FavorFlav love wine, but as soon as it comes to terroir, tannins and sulphites, their attention tends to wane somewhat. Because what exactly does that sommelier mean? Miss WineLane comes to the rescue and guides you through the wild forest of wine terminology. This week: OAC, or actually AOP.

What is it?

AOC (or AC) is short for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. It is the most important term in French wine legislation. If it appears on a bottle, you can assume that all the wine regulations within a specific area have been followed. That area can be an entire region, but also a village or a specific vineyard. Usually, this concerns permitted grape varieties, the winemaking method, the wine style and/or the alcohol percentage. It can also concern traditions or hectolitres of wine per hectare.

At European level, AOC is known as Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP). Similar quality designations also exist in other countries, such as Italy (DOC/DOCG), Spain (DO/DOC), Germany (QbA/QmP) and South Africa (wine of origen).

When does it apply and when not?

Does a wine deviate (a different grape variety, more alcohol, etc.)? Then it falls under one of the two lower quality designations. It is either an Indication Géografique Protégée (IGP) – also subject to rules, but just a little more flexible – or a Vin de France. The latter used to be called Vin de Table; a convivial French table wine without requirements regarding origin or quality.

Quality guarantee?

Many consumers see AOC as a guarantee of quality. That is often the case, indeed, but unfortunately it is never a certainty. A winegrower can still make bad wine, despite following all the rules. Some IGP wines tower head and shoulders above AOC wines.