AOP

French · appellation d'origine protégée, protected designation of origin

AOP (appellation d'origine protégée) is the French form of the EU PDO; the Comité Champagne describes it as the European-scale equivalent of the AOC.1,2

Under the EU PDO rules, the grapes must come exclusively from the defined area, among other conditions.2 The national French term AOC remains in use, and Champagne labels show the name without the words 'AOC'.3 The looser EU tier is IGP, at least 85% of grapes from the area.2 In Spain and Italy the PDO is written DOP. The French appellation body is the INAO. Champagne was first recognised as an AOC by decree of 29 June 1936.4 See France.

See also

AOCGlossaryPDOGlossaryINAOGlossaryFranceRegions

Sources

  1. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche AOC Champagne (FR) (2026-08)
  2. legislation.gov.uk (copy of EU OJ text). Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Article 93 (designations of origin and geographical indications), original version as adopted (2013-12-17)
  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)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19