AOC

French · appellation d'origine contrôlée, controlled designation of origin

AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) is the French appellation system; the AOC Champagne was recognised by décret in 1936, and Champagne labels show the name without the words 'AOC'.1,2,3

The décret-loi of 30 July 1935 created the national committee for appellations and the AOC; the first six wine AOCs were officialised on 15 May 1936.5,6 Champagne followed by decree of 29 June 1936.4 Today the French body in charge is the INAO, and each appellation's rules are set in its cahier des charges. At EU level the equivalent is the PDO, in French AOP.1 See Champagne law and France.

See also

How Champagne got its bordersHistoryINAOGlossaryAOPGlossaryChampagneRegions

Sources

  1. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche AOC Champagne (FR) (2026-08)
  2. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). How to read a Champagne label (2024-02)
  3. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). Labeling
  4. Cahier des charges de l'AOP « Champagne » - modifications approved by the INAO national committee on 11 September 2024 (national opposition procedure text) (2024-09-11)
  5. Frise chronologique: 90 ans des signes officiels de qualité (INAO timeline) (2025-09)
  6. Comité Champagne (champagne.fr). Champagne and its history

Facts checked on 2026-10-19