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France

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France is one of the biggest wine-producing country in the world.

edit Facts and figures

  • Annual production average: 5.3 billion liters

edit History

edit Geography

edit Climate

edit Viniculture

edit Quality designations

  • Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée or AOC: one of the most strict classification systems in the world. Used to control the geographical origin, varietals used, production method, yield and other aspects of winemaking. Generally the highest quality and most traditional types of French wine are labelled AOC. The appellation system identifies wines by place name, so you won't see a varietal named on the label. The French assume you know that if it is white wine and from Sancerre, it must be Sauvignon Blanc, since that is the only white grape allowed to be grown there.
  • Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure or VDQS: there aren't that many wines labelled VDQS, but they can be of very high quality. Often, they are a respected area outside the geographical limit of an AOC, and they are awaiting elevation to AOC status. Another example of a wine labelled VDQS might be that a winemaker within an AC has chosen to blend in grape varietals that the appellation system doesn't allow. Many great French winemakers think the AC system is too restrictive, and they flaunt the rules then declassify the wine to VDQS status. These wines can be terrific!
  • Vin de pays: France also produces a vast array of quality table wines known as "vins de pays", which means "country wine". These are from outside AOC areas, where non-traditional varietals and higher yields are allowed.
  • Vin de table and Vin de cépage: Other, less qualitative French wines are classified as vins de table (table wines) with the name of their region of origin, or as vins de cépage (varietal wine) with the name of a specific varietal without any geographical indication. This last classification is not regulated.

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