Appellation d’Origine Protégée

The designation AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) valid in France for the highest wine quality level "Wines with Protected Origin". This corresponds to a Quality wine according to the new EU Wine Market Regulation that came into effect in August 2009, which classifies wines into two categories: those without and with indication of origin. The traditional designation AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) may still be used. The category VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure), which was considered a precursor to AOC, has been abolished.

Protected replaces Controlled

The change from Controlled to Protected signifies a significantly broader and more transparent regulatory framework. An independent control organization verifies whether a wine meets the specifications of the specifications for the respective appellation, which is specific to each appellation. The controls extend throughout the entire production chain, from barrel to bottle. The appellation then applies not only to a specific tank but to the entire operation. The reference to the terroir thus takes on even greater significance than before with AOC. There are three levels: AOP Cru (wines from a winery, location, or Parcel), AOP communal (municipality), and AOP regional (region).