European classification

Most European countries operate a four-tier system, modelled on the French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AC) system that started in the 1930s as a protection against fraud. The idea behind this system is that the characteristics of the vineyard, as well as the grape variety, determine the flavour and style of the wine, so by giving it an appellation of origin -basically, a registered place name - consumers can be assured of the sort of wine they are buying.