What are the different classifications of wines?
The world of wine is rich, but sometimes complex to understand, especially when it comes to classifications. In France, systems like AOP, IGP, or the Vin de France These designations allow you to identify the origin, quality, and style of a wine. Often found on labels, these details are governed by strict regulations to protect winemaking expertise. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of wine classification in France, covering the various official labels and the most iconic historical classifications.
The main categories: VSIG, IGP, AOP
To begin, it is important to distinguish between two main families of wines: the VSIG (Wines Without Geographical Indication) and the IG (Geographical Indication).
VSIG – Wine Without Geographical Indication
Also called Vin de France Since 2009, these wines have not claimed a specific link to a particular terroir. Their production benefits from considerable freedom regarding grape varieties, blends, and winemaking techniques. Less restrictive from a regulatory standpoint, they sometimes allow for a creative, innovative, or even international approach. However, they do not constitute a guarantee of origin or quality.
IGP – (formerly Vin de Pays)
The wines PGI come from larger geographical areaswith specific guidelines regarding permitted grape varieties, yields, and cultivation practices. Their framework remains flexible, allowing for a modern expression of the terroir. Among the best-known PGIs are:
-
IGP Pays d'Oc
-
IGP Val de Loire
-
IGP Côtes-de-Gascogne
PDO – Protected Designation of Origin (formerly AOC)
More demanding, this classification concerns wines produced in a smaller appellation areawith rigorous criteria on grape varieties, yields, winemaking techniques, soil type, exposure… The PDO aims for maximum typicity, intimately linked to the terroir and winemaking tradition.
Key examples:
-
Saint-Émilion PDO
-
AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape
All these classifications are governed by theINAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality), under the Ministry of Agriculture. Since the 2009 European reform, the former AOC, Vin de Pays and Vin de Table designations have been harmonized under the AOP, IGP and Vin de France.
The concept of "Raw"
The word “believed" refers to a wine from a terroir renowned for its exceptional qualityThis is still a wine classified in the category AOPHowever, there is no national classification of wines: each region has developed its own hierarchies, with specific criteria and appellations.
HAS Bordeaux
THE 1855 Classification is the most famous. Created for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, at the request of Napoleon III, it aimed to showcase the best wines of the Médoc. The wines were classified according to two criteria:
-
THE average price of wine observed over previous decades,
-
and, more surprisingly, the architectural aesthetics of castles.
Result: 61 red wines distributed across 5 levels of Grand Cru wines (from the First to the Fifth). The First Growth Classified Wines, now world-renowned, are:
-
Château Mouton-Rothschild (added to the ranking in 1973)
Note: this classification has remained unchanged since its creation, with the exception of the promotion of Château Mouton-Rothschild.
Other Bordeaux rankings:
-
Graves (1959)
-
Saint-Émilion (1955) – revised every 10 years.
-
Crus Bourgeois du Médoc (1932) – classification updated annually.
-
Crus Artisans du Médoc (1989)
Among these, the ranking of Saint-Émilion remains under particular scrutiny, especially for its Premiers Grands Crus Classés Awhich include prestigious names such as:
-
Château Angélus
-
Château Ausonius
-
Château White Horse
-
Château Pavia
In Burgundy
Burgundy is based on a different logic: it is not the properties but the plots or “climates” which are ranked. The hierarchy includes:
-
Grands Crus (33 exceptional terroirs)
-
Premier Crus (approximately 562 named places)
The most famous Grands Crus are found in Chablis, Côte de Nuits and Côte de BeauneThis organization has been in place since 1935 and testifies to a strong link between terroir and quality.
In Provence
Provence established a classification system in 1955Cru Classéreserved for 18 domains recognized for the excellence and consistency of their production.
In Alsace
It only contains the mention "Grand Cru”, which distinguishes more than 50 remarkable terroirs. This appellation encompasses a very wide diversity of estates, with more than 1000 producers.
And in the Rhône ?
Unlike other major French wine regions, the Rhône Valley does not have an official classification of its wines (like Bordeaux or Burgundy). However, the hierarchy of wines is naturally organized around three levels of controlled appellations:
-
Côtes-du-Rhône (generic level)
-
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages (with or without mention of municipality)
-
Local names (or “raw”) as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, Gigondas or Condrieu.
These "crus" are considered the elite of Rhône wines, each expressing a particular terroir and winemaking style. They are not ranked in a hierarchy, but enjoy strong collective recognition. This tripartite structure allows consumers to easily navigate the selection, based on the complexity and prestige of the appellations.
RECAP:
Classifications are a A valuable reference point to guide the consumer and protect regional winemaking expertise. They structure quality according to criteria of origin, terroir, technique… But let's remember thatA great wine does not depend solely on a classification.Many unclassified vintages can prove to be exceptional.