Understanding the French Classification System

Perhaps one of the reasons French wine is held up to such high regard is the extensive lengths the country has gone to to regulate and control the industry standards and keep consumers informed. Generally, it can be divided into three categories, which we’ll detail here: VDF, IGP and AOC. These regulations, also known as AOP (in case you needed another acronym) or Appellation d’Origine Protégée system, while ancient, are used today mostly to signal price, quality and origin for consumers.

The three, basic classifications of wine in France

VDF (Vin de France)

Vin de France refers to basic table wines with no specific region, but from France. The guarantee: the wine is from somewhere in France. The grapes can be grown from a number of different regions, though VDF wines cannot specify the origins of the grapes. Because this classification is so general, these are typically the lowest quality and (sometimes) the lowest priced wines, though this is increasingly changing as producers are finding new ways to market good-quality wines under the VDF label. VDF wines are not permitted to list their vintage on the label.

IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée)

IGP can also be known as VDP / Vin de Pays, and also means country wine. IGP wines are the largest category of French wines that are permitted to specify where the grapes originate from. Since IGP/VDP wines can list their region, they are subject to restrictions such as grape variety, alcohol content, acidity, sulphur levels and yield. Though they fall under these restrictions, the requirements are relatively easy to satisfy at this level, which allows for greater variation in quality than an AOC wines. IGP lists 74 geographic areas and 150 unique designations which include, Jardin de la France, Comtés Rhodaniens, Comté Tolosan, and Vin de Pays d’Oc. Additionally, VDP wines can display their vintage on the label

AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)

AOC wines are the top of the appellation system and are labeled as such in order to guarantee origin and quality. Wines in this classification generally have a distinct and consistent character, and only an area can produce such distinctive wines should qualify for AOC status. The first AOC, Châteauneuf-de-Pape, was designated in 1935, and only two years later the AOC for other classic winemaking regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne were developed. Today they still remain in effect.

Within the AOC designation are a number of sub-designations that further identify location and quality: regional, sub-regional, commune/village and special classification.

Designations of AOC wines

Regional

These wines are the broadest sense of the AOC. i.e. Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy

Sub-regional

Within a region are smaller subregions known for their wine or terroir. i.e. Bordeaux’s Médoc subregion, Burgundy’s Chablis subregion.

Commune/Village

More specific than a sub-region is an area that can stretch as little as a mile. For example, the subregion of Médoc (in Bordeaux), has a village Pauillac which is home to some of the greatest (and priciest) red wines.

Special Classification - the Crus

Further than a specific square miles of a region are Crus - which refers to a specific vineyard or group of vineyards that are recognized for their quality. Sometimes the difference between Crus (a Premier and a Grand Cru), can be only steps away - further emphasizing the importance of terroir.

Premier Cru

A wine labeled as a Premier Cru is either a vineyard plot of superior quality or the very highest tier within a Grand Cru classification (i.e. a wine labeled as “Premier Grand Cru Classé…).

Grand Cru

This is the very highest classification for French wine. It refers to the plot of land the grapes are grown, also known as the climat, or the specific chateau where the wine is made. The latter is exclusively used for Bordeaux wines.

Though it can be confusing and a lot to keep in mind, these classifications not only establish France’s reputation as a consistent producer of great wine, but also guarantee consistency for the consumer. For example, if you love the dry Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuissé, you can typically assume a bottle labeled Pouilly-Fuissé, will be a white, dry, fruity wine, as dictated by the grape varietal the AOC is limited to growing, and the common terroir across the area.