Short definition
France's classification system guaranteeing a wine's geographic origin, grape varieties, and production methods.
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) — now Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) under EU harmonization — is France's guarantee that a wine comes from where it says and was made according to local rules. Burgundy AOC specifies grape variety. Champagne AOC specifies the méthode champenoise. The system dates to 1935 and remains the template that other countries have copied.