AOP and AOC understand world wine’s appellation

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AOP and AOC understand world wine’s appellation

9 April 2025NewsBy Château de Paraza

When talking about wine in France, the terms AOC (appellation d’origine controlée) and AOP ( appellation d’origine protégée), often come up. But what are the differences between them, and why these distinctions important ?

AOC : A guarantee of origine and expertise

The appellation d’origine controlée(AOC) is French label created in 1935. It guarantees that the wine comes from specific geographical area and follows strict production guidelines defining the authorized grape varieties, cultivation methods and winemaking processes. This certification is granted by the INAO (institut national de l’origine et de la qualité) after rigorous inspectations.

AOC is synonymous with terroir, a key concept in the wine world that considers the unique combination of soil, climate, and winemaking soil, climate and winemaking expertise. For example, an AOC Minervois wine must be produced within the designated appellation area and adhere to its strict criteria.

AOP : European recognition

In 2009, the european union introduced the appellation d’origine protegee (AOP) to standardize certifications across Europe. AOP follows the same requirements as AOC but extends its recognition to all EU member states.

The goal of AOP is to protect agricultural products (including wine) from imitations and to guarantee consumers that these products are genuinely linked to their terroir of origin.

AOC or AOP : what’s the difference ?

In practice, all AOC wines have automatically become AOP, but in France, the term AOC remains widely used due to tradition and a strong attachment to viticultural heritage. Some labels still display AOC, while others use AOP, but both certifications ensure the same level of qualityand authenticity.