Tag: appellations

New original DAC in Austria: Wiener Gemischter Satz

In Austria, they call their appellations DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus). The newest and ninth DAC has just been approved: Wiener Gemischter Satz. It is a strange appellation, or at least unusual appellation, perhaps even unique.

Chinese champagne is but a memory

China has recently recognized the appellation Champagne. This means that in future in China you will not see any Chinese bubbles, or imported ones for that matter, that is labelled as Champagne if they do

Picpoul de Pinet to have its own AOP (AOC)

Picpoul de Pinet is doing well. Production has doubled since 1990. We have never really quite understood why this wine from Languedoc has become so popular. Good marketing is certainly one reason. The wine has

The view from Mas de Daumas Gassac

We are all French, aren’t we?

The usual infighting between French appellations… Renaming the French table wines to Vin de France was an ingenious move. They were formerly called vin de table, wines without geographical origin. “France” is a brand name

New rooster and new rules for Chianti Classico

During the launch of the new vintage of Chianti Classico, the “anteprima” or the “primeurs”, in mid-February in Florence the consorzio presented the new design of the black rooster, the gallo nero symbol of Chianti Classico.

Geographical indications for AOC Alsace

INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité), the authority that controls all the French appellations, has recently approved two additional geographical add-ons for AOC Alsace. The two lucky ones are AOC Alsace Bergheim

Good choice of name? Côte, coteaux or not?

Speaking of Coteaux Bourguignons (see other news item yesterday) as a name for an appellation, the trend in recent years in France has rather been to get rid of words like “coteaux” and “côte”. Côtes

A new appellation in Austria: Neusiedlersee DAC

Neusiedlersee is the latest addition to the Austrian “appellations”. In Austria they are called DAC, or Districtus Austriae Controllatus. On March 28 the Austrian agriculture ministry approved the promotion of Neusiedlersee to DAC. The Neusiedlersee

Muscadet will get three village denominations

Muscadet will get three new village denominations. It is not, as far as we understand, a question of village “appellations” (AOP as it is called nowadays) but the right to put the name of the

Addictive wine? (fun game)

It is not the wine itself. It is the game. Vignobles de France is an online game where you should place French wine appellations as close as possible to the correct location (in a limited

Protected origin

Many wine regions are very keen to protect their name. It is also becoming increasingly common for other things: cheese, ham, chicken and even a certain kind of lace (no not that kind) have protected

What is quality wine?

Sometimes one wonders what this concept ”quality wine” means. Take the fact that half of all French wine is classified as “quality wine” (as noted elsewhere in the Brief). Formally this is defined by the

AOC Languedoc – a new appellation

This is an excerpt from our book Languedoc – meetings with the wines and winemakers in the French South, the chapter on “appellations and classification” – released 2007th This section describes the new (or redesigned)

New Austrian wine region: Eisenberg DAC

The Austrian agriculture minister has signed a new “appellation“, what in Austria is called a DAC: Eisenberg DAC. The region is located in Südburgenland and includes the districts Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf. Eisenberg DAC should

Chinese champagne is but a memory

China has recently recognized the appellation Champagne. This means that in future in China you will not see any Chinese bubbles, or imported ones for

The view from Mas de Daumas Gassac

We are all French, aren’t we?

The usual infighting between French appellations… Renaming the French table wines to Vin de France was an ingenious move. They were formerly called vin de

Geographical indications for AOC Alsace

INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité), the authority that controls all the French appellations, has recently approved two additional geographical add-ons for

Addictive wine? (fun game)

It is not the wine itself. It is the game. Vignobles de France is an online game where you should place French wine appellations as

Protected origin

Many wine regions are very keen to protect their name. It is also becoming increasingly common for other things: cheese, ham, chicken and even a

What is quality wine?

Sometimes one wonders what this concept ”quality wine” means. Take the fact that half of all French wine is classified as “quality wine” (as noted

AOC Languedoc – a new appellation

This is an excerpt from our book Languedoc – meetings with the wines and winemakers in the French South, the chapter on “appellations and classification”

New Austrian wine region: Eisenberg DAC

The Austrian agriculture minister has signed a new “appellation“, what in Austria is called a DAC: Eisenberg DAC. The region is located in Südburgenland and

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