3

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!

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

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.

« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Domaine Ponsot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos des Monts Luisant Blanc 2020
A special & incredibly rare white from the Côtes du Nuits! Personlity+++ The nuances of Burgundy's appellation system once again come into play when Ponsot secured a ruling allowing them to produce a 1er Cru white from the 1er Cru Monts Luisants vineyard from what was lambasted as a secondary grape variety by the AOC. This is unlike any other Aligoté I've tried.Where Aligoté is typical the favoured mixer with cassis to make the traditional Kir apperitif, Ponsot's ageworthy version demands
$648
$628ea in any 3+
$608ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Dr Bürklin-Wolf Riesling Wachenheimer 'Gerümpal' Premier Cru 2022
The 2022 Wachenheimer Gerümpel P.C. is super clear, intense and flinty on the very elegant and refined nose that reveals extremely stony (basalt!) and saline aromas as well as substantial fruit aromas intermingled with sulfur-spring notes. Full-bodied, this is a pure, refined and saline, vibrantly fresh and expressive terroir Riesling with remarkable intensity and grip due to its rich minerals and serious tannins. This is an age-worthy Riesling that will hardly please any non-Riesling aficionad
$123
$118ea in any 3+
$113ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Weinbach Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling 2022
“The 2022 Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru blends its reductive, flinty smokiness with lemon zest on the nose. With more air, white and yellow peach start smiling through and get stronger and juicier on the palate. The pale peach juiciness appears in full purity on the palate, framed with a pleasantly astringent pithiness that makes the mouth water. More peach and fruit and in freshness are just within reach. The finish is shorter than usual but bone-dry. This is a picture of stone.”Anne K
$224
$214ea in any 3+
$204ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Giuseppe Rinaldi Rosae 2023

Giuseppe Rinaldi Rosae 2023

Ruché | Piedmont, Barolo

Well here's a fascinating drink! I've not had a Ruchè AKA Ruchet AKA Rouchet AKA Moscatellina before. I wonder how Rinaldi ended up with this in the mix and the history of the vineyard.The synonym Moscatellina is perhaps the one that first drew my gaze when smelling this. It does have some Muscat like aromas, I almost felt like I was smelling a pretty decent bitters. Galloni is on the mark with his discription. Before trying it myself I though perhaps he was having a Rinaldi Fan Boy moment.
$84
Add to cart
More Info