FRENCH WINE TERMS

vQWPSR: Quality wines produces in a specific region

 INAO: Institut des Appellations d’origine

 TERROIR: It refers to the unique combination of factors like soil, underlying rocks. Altitude, slope of hill, orientation towards sun and other climatic conditions. 

FRENCH WINE CONTROL TERMS

   TABLE VIN / VIN DE TABLE: These are the wines of medium quality which may be a blend of wines from more than one country of the EEC and are not less than 8.5% in alcoholic content.

vVIN DE PAYS: These are the wines from the larger districts of France.

AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôllée): Under AOC, strict regulations are there to govern & control the whole wine manufacturing process ( viticulture, fermentation & vinification ). Quality wines from different French regions whether small or large, if bears a label of AOC, ensures the guarantee of authenticity.

 VDQS ( Vins délimités de qualité supérieure): VDQS wines are excellent second quality wines produced from specified vineyards or districts of France. These wines are also governed by strict laws.

v MISE EN BOUTEILLE CHÂTEAU: Wines bottled at the Chateau.

 This ‘e’ mark indicates that the bottler has complied with the EEC bottling capacity regulations.This ‘e’ mark indicates that the bottler has complied with the EEC bottling capacity regulations.

SOUTH WEST FRANCE

South West France or Sud-Quest, a somewhat heterogeneous collection Bordeaux. Some areas produce primarily red wines like Bordeaux, while others produce dry or sweet white wines. Area included in Sud-Quest are:

v Bergerac & others of upstream Dordogne

v Areas of upstream Garonne including Cahors

v Areas in Gascony

v Bearn, Jaracon

v Basquecountry areas, such as Irouléguy

SAVOY

Savoy or savoie, primarily a white wine region in the Alps close to Switzerland, where many unique grape varities are cultivated. 

PROVENCE

It is located in southeast and close to the Mediterranean. It is perhaps the  warmest wine region of France and produces mainly rosé and red wine. It covers eight major appellations led by the Provence flagship, Bandol. Some Provence wine can be compared with the Southern Rhone wines as they share grapes, style and climate. Provence also has a classification of its most prestigious estates, much like Bordeaux. 

LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON

It is by far the largest region in terms of vineyard area and the region in which much of France’s cheap bulk wines have been produced. While still the source of much of France’s and Europe’s overproduction, the so-called “wine lake”. This region is also the home of some of France’s most innovative producers. They try to combine traditional French wine and international styles and do not hesitate to take lessons from the New World. Most of the wine from this region is sold as Vin de pays. 

JURA

It’s a small in the mountains close to Switzerland where some unique wine styles, notably Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille are produced. The region covers six appellations and is related to Burgundy through its extensive use of the Burgundian grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Though other varieties are also used. It also shares climatic conditions with Burgundy.