05 Wine Law Paradigm

Question 1

Historcal backdrop of French Paradigm

Answer 1

• British empire imported lots of FR wine
• Discussed wine based on location, not grape type
• Rules created to ensure quality / reduce fraud in FR wines

Question 2

AOC System

Answer 2

• Appellation D’Origine Controlee
• Make sure wine / food names are protected
• Federal system for each wine region
• Model subsequently adopited in Italy & EU

Question 3

Appellation d’Origine Protegee

Answer 3

• EU quality designation system
• Wines with geographic origin (e.g., connection to land) viewed as higher quality
• Wines without geographic origin viewed as lower quality

Question 4

French wine quality levels

Answer 4

• Vin de France: 20%
• IGP / Vin de Pays: 30%
• AOP / AOC: 50%

Question 5

Vin de France

Answer 5

• least restrictive level
• high yields
• no specific place of origin allowed
  variety / vintage allowed
• oak chips allowed
• not often bottled - often sold in carafe in france

Question 6

IGP / Vin de Pays

Answer 6

vs. most extreme level (AOP / AOC)
- more grapes allowed
- Higher minimums allowed (from out of state)
- More experiemntation allowed
- Hybrids are allowed
85% of grapes from stated region

Question 7

AOP / AOC wines

Answer 7

• boundareis regulated
• Viticultural practices regulated
• Winemaking technique regulated
• 100% of grapes must come from stated AOC