Classification of grape wine

To classify the wine must, first and foremost to help consumers navigate in a huge range of wine products from different countries, regions and producers. And secondly – that the producers were clear and common rules. The stricter classification is complied with (such as in France), the harder it is for winemakers to follow it, but the more value it has for the consumer, including in monetary terms. That’s just to comprehend the wilds of the classification itself requires a separate effort.

Next, we will focus on the classification of wines of controlled quality and origin.

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To help you understand what designate the abbreviations and labels of different countries, we have compiled a review of the national classification systems:

• Classification of French wines
• Classification of Italian wines
• Classification of wines of Spain
• Classification of wines of Germany

On the European bottles, issued in implementation since 2012 uses a new system of classification of European wines. However, bottles are received into circulation before that date to prematerialist will not.

So the labels with the same notation for a long time will meet on the shelves, especially among French wines, where after 2012 are not abandoning the system and use both.

French classification

According to the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’origine):

AOC (Appellation d’origine Contrôlée)

The highest category in the French classification. Wine geographical origin of which is used by grape varieties and production methods (vinification) is strictly defined by law for this appellation – specific wine-growing areas.

Instead of “d’origine” on the label can directly state the name of the appellation from which this wine hails, ie the same’origine (translated: “the origin”)
For Example: “Appellation Bordeaux Controlee”.

or

or

The appellations in size are divided into: regional (the most extensive, overlapping with the main wine regions), sub-regional, communal and individual households do not have a lock.

The smaller the appellation, the more stringent requirements for the varieties and manufacturing process, the predictable character and taste of the contents of the bottle so it is more expensive. Hence the glory of the “Chateau” wines – wines from specific farms (CRU, domeny, Chateau).

VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure)

Wine, meet the requirements of AOC, but not yet received in this category and in the queue for the conferment of the highest category. Outside of France almost never occur.

    VdP (Vin de Pays)

The so-called “local” fault, that is simply wine produced in France, specifying the area (area of production), and these areas can be larger than the largest of the appellations of AOC category. The boundaries of the assumptions in the production of these wines also wide as the boundaries of permissible areas of production.

    VdT (Vin de Table)

Table wine without indicating the place of production. The “low” category of wines. About half of the wines produced in France belongs to this category. This wine can be manufactured in France from grapes grown in another European country – this wine is called “european table wine” (European table wine). If all the grapes are French, this table wine is called “vin de table francais” (French table wine), but to specify the place where it came from, and the year of harvest is prohibited.