To choose a bottle of wine, buyers often look first at the wine-growing region, which says a lot about the grape varieties used, and the type of wine produced. Labels are also important selection criteria, but do you really know what differentiates an AOP wine from an IGP wine ? Let's do a check in.
Focus on the AOC/AOP appellation
The AOC label is probably the most well-known to everyone, even to small wine lovers without any particular knowledge. However, few people know that AOC and AOP are ultimately identical.
AOP: a European level label
The AOP, or protected designation of origin , is a type of label which certifies that AOP wines comply with specifications imposed according to its origin. Also called PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin), this certification defines the typicality of a terroir . The specifications for AOP wines then impose very strict rules on all wine producers who claim the title:
- The geographical area is very delimited, with a list of municipalities authorized to use this designation;
- The types of wines authorized are specified (red wines, white wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines, still wines, etc.);
- The minimum alcohol level is fixed;
- The authorized grape varieties are limited;
- The yield per hectare must not exceed a certain level.
The objective of the AOP is then to certify wines distinctly representing the qualities of a terroir , but also to ensure a minimum quality of wine production.
AOC: a French label
If the AOP is a European label, on a smaller scale, we find the designations specific to each European country. In Portugal and Italy, it is the DOC, in Spain, we talk about DO, in Germany, we talk about QmP Grosslage, and in France, we have the AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) .
Finally, the specifications of the AOP and the AOC are the same, but the French appellation is managed by a French organization, the INAO (national institute of origin and quality) . It is then up to the INAO to make the link between the AOC at the French level and the AOP at the European level.
Focus on the IGP
Let's now look at the PGI, or protected geographical indication . This European designation has more flexible specifications than those of the AOC/AOP. But the objective is to promote wines whose quality, characteristics and reputation are linked to their geographical origin .
Like the AOC, the IGP is awarded by the INAO in France, and has different names in other EU countries (VT in Spain, IPR in Portugal, IGT in Italy, etc.).
A wine with a protected geographical indication must have at least one of its manufacturing stages in the PGI wine region (harvest, vinification, bottling, etc.). Then, the geographical areas are larger than for the AOPs, and the authorized grape varieties are also more numerous.
AOP and IGP: what are the main differences?
The differences between AOP wines and IGP wines concern several criteria in the specifications:
- The AOP is produced in a protected area limited to the terroir, while the IGP is produced over a larger geographical area;
- The authorized grape varieties are much fewer in number for an AOP (often less than 10) than for an IGP;
- The yield per hectare is more limited for AOP wines than for IGP wines.
An AOC wine is a terroir wine that reflects typicality, while an IGP wine is more of a varietal wine . Often, winegrowers who produce AOP also produce wines with protected geographical indication, to offer more accessible wines, or to diversify their offering with wines not authorized by the AOP. In fact, the AOP and the IGP cannot be combined , and the winemaker must therefore make a choice when a wine meets the criteria of the two labels.
And if the bottles of wine offer a little too much originality for an IGP, winegrowers then classify them in the category of local wines .
The production of AOP or IGP wine reflects the typicality of a terroir or a geographical area, and highlights the know-how of the winemaker. At Domaine de Berne, we offer both AOC wines and IGP wines, in order to offer a wide selection of quality Provence wines .
