Appellation Contrôlée, short for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), is France’s controlled appellation, renamed Appellation d’Origine Protegée (AOP) in response to the eu reforms of 2008 (see pdo). This much-imitated, prototypical, and inherently protectionist system of designating and controlling her all-important geographically based names applies not just to wines but also to spirits such as cognac, armagnac, and calvados, as well as to many foods. It is administered by the inao, a powerful Paris-based body which also controls the less restrictive denomination Indication Géographique Protégée or igp (formerly vin de pays). AOP/AOC wines represent 46% of French wine production (ten-year average to 2013), IGP 28%.
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