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Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée [AOC]

In France, the appellation d’origine contrôlée (“controlled designation of origin”), or AOC, is a certification of authenticity granted to certain geographical indications for agricultural products, including cheese, meats, butter and most importantly, wine!

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In France, the appellation d’origine contrôlée (“controlled designation of origin”), or AOC, is a certification of authenticity and quality granted to certain geographical indications for agricultural products, including cheese, meats, butter and most importantly, wine. It is a system governed by the Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO), and is based upon ideas of terroir and a form of geographic and cultural protection.

France established the INAO in 1935 in an effort to control the reputation of wine and other cultural foods. Support for the creation of the AOC itself was in large part due to winemaker Baron Pierre Le Roy, which led to the first designated AOC: Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

By 1937, the establishment of the AOC for classic winemaking regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne took place, setting about standards and rules that are still in effect today. For example, AOC laws ensure that if you buy a bottle of French wine labelled “Champagne,” you’re getting a sparkling wine made in the traditional method from the region of Champagne with Chardonnay, Meunier, and/or Pinot Noir.

There are currently over 300 French wines entitled to the designation AOC on their label, along with several potential designations within an AOC that reflect location and quality. For example:

  • Regional: This refers to the broadest sense of an AOC. Examples: Bordeaux, Burgundy.
  • Sub-Regional: Within those regions are smaller subregions known for more specific wine or terroir. Examples: Bordeaux’s Médoc sub-region, Burgundy’s Chablis sub-region.
  • Commune/Village: Narrowing further within a subregion, these areas are sometimes only a few miles in scope. Examples: Pauillac in Médoc, Côtes d’Auxerre in Chablis.
  • Special Classification: An AOC might be further specified for quality at this point, indicating a Cru, which refers to a specific vineyard or group of vineyards typically recognized for quality.

Similar systems exist in other European countires, such as the Denominazione di Origine Controllata in Italy.

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Terre Nere Santo 'Calderara Sottana' Etna Rosso D.O.C. 2023
One of Terre Nere's 3 Grand Cru's, the Pre-phylloxera vineyard sits within this one! It's a bold, delicious interpretation of Nerello. One of Terre Nere's 3 Grand Cru's, the Pre-phylloxera vineyard sits within this one! It's a bolder, delicious interpretation of Nerello Mascalese.The 2023 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is dreamy, with a perfumed bouquet of rose, violet, smoke and sour citrus. This is wildly energetic and spry, with crisp red berry fruits and crunchy mineral tones that create a
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David Duband Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Les Sentiers' 2020
A perfumed and strikingly pretty nose is at once wonderfully floral and spicy with its fresh essence of red pinot fruit. The fleshy and round yet decidedly powerful, intense and tautly muscular flavors exude a subtle minerality on the compact, youthfully austere and sneaky long finish. 2032"Allen Meadows, Burghound ♥ Outstanding
$445
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Vietti Barolo Riserva 2016
2nd Release of Barolo Riserva!

Vietti Barolo Riserva 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Show the class of the vineyards and the winemakers! The stems in Teodoro, Serralunga (just next to Cerretta) are very ripe, so Vietti use 60% whole clusters to make their Barolo Riserva and then holds it in bottle another 5 years.The idea of the Barolo Riserva was born during continuous experimentations carried out both in the vineyard and in the cellar, for the choice of the grapes that will be used for the Barolo Castiglione. Throughout the years, some very high quality plots have started
$371
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Moreau-Naudet Chablis 'Vielles Vignes Les Pragues' 2022
Les Pargues is a Chablis lieu-dit situated on a ridge between Montmains and Vosgros. It has the same exposure as the 1er Crus of Vaillons and Montmains, so it’s a very handy site. The story goes that this site was originally classified as a 1er Cru level vineyard (pre-AOC), before being largely abandoned during WWI (when there was a labour shortage). Regardless of this story, locals rightly speak very highly of this site. The vines in Moreau’s tiny parcel average 50-plus years old and 15-
$126
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