WINES WITH STYLE
FRENCH WINES
A STYLE OF WINE FOR EVERY LIFESTYLE
A journey through the regions
and wine styles of France
WINES WITH STYLE
FRENCH WINES :
THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT
WINES WITH STYLE
FRENCH WINES AT A GLANCE
France – the world’s
biggest wine producer
Centuries of viticultural
experience :Winegrowing since
600 BC
13 winegrowing regions
360 appellations and 75 wines
with protected geographical
indication
Many now-international grape
varieties originated in France
One bottle in five exported
around the world
WINES WITH STYLE
HISTORY
6000 BC
Origins in Persia?
1600 BC
From the Egyptians to the Greeks
600 BC
Introduction to France via the Greeks (Phocians)
Spread by the Romans
6th Century
Continued by monks
17th Century
Adopted by the nobility
1789
French Revolution
18th Century
The first wine merchants arrive with the glass bottle
+ cork
1864
PHYLLOXERA OUTBREAK (destroys about 80% of the
vineyards)
1889
Wine is legally defined
1934
Founding of the I.N.A.O.
1949
Introduction of Vins de Pays
1979
Introduction of V.D.Q.S.
1987
Introduction of Vins de Pays de Région
2009
New E.U. designations
A.O.C.
WINES WITH STYLE
WINE IN EUROPE TODAY
Since August 2009:
the European Union has reclassified wine throughout Europe
Objectives:
• Simplification and clarity
• Strengthen the position of European wines on the global market
New segmentation for French wines too
3 categories:
• PDO/AOP = Protected Designation of Origin/Appellation d’Origine Protégée
• PGI/IGP = Protected Geographical Indication/ Indication Géographique Protégée
• Vin de France without geographical indication
Strict legal regulations continue to apply .
WINES WITH STYLE
EUROPEAN SEALS OF ORIGIN
IN FRANCE – SINCE AUGUST 2009
Wines with geographical
indication
PDO/AOP
(formerly
AOC)
PGI/IGP
(formerly vin
de pays)
Wines with no geographical
indication/wines with national
origin
VIN DE FRANCE
Option to
include grape
varieties
and vintage
on the label
WINES WITH STYLE
EUROPEAN SEALS OF ORIGIN
IN FRANCE : AOP
AOP = Appellation d’Origine Protégée
(Protected Designation of Origin ), formerly AOC
AOP wines are produced entirely in the specific
designated region
AOP = highest category of French wines
with the strictest requirements
Special combination of terroir and local customs
(authorised grape varieties, yields and means of
production…)
Unique wine typical of the region
360 AOP wines today:
47.8% of total French wine production
WINES WITH STYLE
EUROPEAN SEALS OF ORIGIN
IN FRANCE: IGP
IGP = Indication Géographique Protégée
(Protected Geographical Indication), formerly vin de pays
IGP = intermediate category of French wines
IGP wines have a specific geographical origin, but it is
generally more broadly defined than for AOP
Regulations are more flexible, e.g. for permitted grape
varieties
Traditional production process guaranteed
75 IGP denominations today: 27.5% of the total French
wine production
WINES WITH STYLE
THE NEW DESIGNATION VIN DE FRANCE
wines with national origin
Vin de France = wine from France, with
option to include grape varieties and vintage
on the label
Uncomplicated wine enjoyment – juicy, fruity
red wines, elegant white wines, delicious
rosés
Vin de France can come from all over France
Production limited to 100 hl/ha
Minimum 9% vol. alcohol
Vin de France can be a blend
(“cuvée”) of wines from different
regions of France
WINES WITH STYLE
THE NEW DESIGNATION VIN DE FRANCE
Wines labelled "Vin de France" are often sold under a brand name.
Grape varieties and vintage may be specified on the label
Vds de France without
Vin
vf
grape variety or vintage
Vin de France may be a blend of several grape varieties;Their
complementarities allow them to make wines that are harmonious
and enjoyable.
Examples of common blends of grape varieties (assemblage)
•
•
•
Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon: character and opulent fruitiness
Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc: vibrant fruit and fragrant elegance
Colombard & Ugni Blanc: floral flavours and exciting freshness
Vin
Vds de France with grape
variety
or vintage
vf
WINES WITH STYLE
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMPARED
France
Germany
Vin de France
German wine
75 I.G.P.
Indication Géographique Protégée
A.O.P.
Appellation d´Origine Protégée
A.O.P. with regional designation
(name of the growing area)
A.O.P. with sub-regional designation
(name of a principal location)
A.O.P. with local designation
(name of a municipality)
1er Cru, Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé
G.G.A.
Geschützte Geographische Angabe
(Protected Geographic Indication)
P.D.O
Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung
Special quality wines
-Spätlese
-Auslese
-Beerenauslese
-Trockenbeerenauslese
-Eiswein
WINES WITH STYLE
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMPARED
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Vino d´Italia
Vino de Espagna
Vinho de Portugal
I.G.P.
Indicazione Geograpfica
Protetta
I.G.P.
Indicacion Geografica
Protegida
D.O.P.
Denominazione di Origine
Protetta
D.O.C.G.
Denominazione di Origine
Controllata e Garantita
D.O.P
Denominacion de Origen
Protegida
I.G.P.
Indicacao Geografica
Protegida
D.O.P.
Denominacao de Origen
Protegida