Appellation d’Origine Protégée

The designation AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) valid in France for the highest wine quality level "wines of protected origin". This corresponds to a quality wine in accordance with the new EU wine market regulation that came into force in August 2009, in which wines are divided into two classes, with and without an indication of origin. However, the traditional designation AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) may continue to be used. The category VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) category, which had been regarded as an AOC preliminary stage, has been cancelled without replacement.

Appellation d’Origine Protégée - Logos

Protégée replaces Contrôlée

The change from Contrôlée to Protégée means a much more far-reaching and transparent set of rules. An independent inspection organisation checks whether a wine complies with the specifications for the respective appellation, which are specific to each appellation. The controls cover the entire production chain, from the barrel to the bottle. The appellation then applies not only to a specific tank, but to the entire winery. The link to the terroir is therefore even more important than before with AOC. There are three levels: AOP Cru (wines from a vineyard, site or parcel), AOP communal (municipality) and AOP regional (region).

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Appellation d’Origine Protégée

Protégée replaces Contrôlée

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Protégée replaces Contrôlée

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