AOC

AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) is a French certification that protects the geographical indication for wines, cheeses, butter, and other agricultural products. This system is based on the concept of terroir, which includes specific natural and human factors of the area, such as soil, climate, grape variety, and traditional production methods. To receive the AOC designation, all main production stages must be carried out according to recognized expertise in a defined geographical area.

Terroir is a key element that gives AOC wines their unique character and identity. This concept encompasses not only natural properties, such as soil composition and climatic conditions, but also the historical and cultural aspects associated with wine production. Because of terroir, each AOC wine is unique and cannot be reproduced outside its production area, ensuring its uniqueness and quality.

Each AOC has its specifications that local producers must follow to use this certification. These rules cover, for example, the type of permitted grape variety, vineyard density, maximum yield, or harvesting methods. AOC provides a guarantee of quality, origin, and typicity of the wine, ensured by strict monitoring of all stages of its production. This way, the AOC system protects and promotes local winemaking traditions and gives consumers confidence that they are tasting authentic and quality wines with rich histories