Appellation of Origin of Wine Quality

The category Appellation of Origin of wine quality (AOVDQS), or more often VDQS, appeared during the Second World War and was formalized by the Act of December 18^th 1949.  Endangered in 2011 from an order of 2007, this name is with the AOC, AO.VQPRD (Quality wines produced in specified regions).

Details

The French parliament ratified on November 28^th 2007 the Ordinance 2006-1547 the system of quality labels and designations of origin in organizing the abolition of the category VDQS (wine bounded superior).

The VDQS must choose between the name vin de pays (which is not a designation under strict administration of the French word) or the AOC. But this possibility could also evolve as a new segmentation of French wines that could be created, under the new wine CMO (Common Market Organization) adopted in late 2007 in Brussels.

The VDQS (or wine of superior quality) were of a certain quality, but of a lesser reputation than AOC wines. The VDQS to move under that name, must have a label issued by the union of the wine region concerned. The rules of winemaking, as alcoholometry, production areas, varieties and labelling must meet specifications approved by the INAO (Institut National des Appellations of Origin).

To qualify for VDQS, producers must comply with the conditions of production described in the Order governing the designation, make a sheet of grape varieties and conduct an analysis of a sample of the wine tasted by a committee issuing a sensory control.

The label is valid for between 6 and 12 months and can not be issued after June 30^th following the harvest. Today, the main VDQS awarded in the category is AOC, especially in the south of France. This passage does not occur automatically but requires the advice and consent of the INAO, often given in exchange for a significant reduction in the production area delineated. The shift in category AOC is sometimes at the expense of the producer, who loses for part of its production, some benefits of the VDQS label.