29 June 1936: a red-letter day for the Champagne designation
Although the Champagne controlled designation of origin (AOC) wasn't recognised until 1936, defence of the Champagne designation by its producers goes back much further than that. A bit of history!
From the mid-19th century, Champagne makers began rallying together to defend Champagne against imitations and misuse by other sparkling wine producers who sought to free-ride on the reputation of the Champagne designation to promote their wines unfairly. The AOC concept did not exist at this juncture.
The Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC) trade association was founded in 1941. One of its founding roles was the protection of the Champagne designation worldwide. At its founding, it primarily took action against sparkling wines that used the Champagne designation without the right to do so, mainly because they did not come from the geographical area defined. But the Comité Champagne also makes sure that Champagne producers comply with the production process of the Champagne designation. Thanks to both these actions, consumers are assured that they are drinking proper Champagne which meets the standards of excellence to which it can legitimately lay claim.
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Since there is such prestige surrounding the name "Champagne", many competitors try to take unfair advantage of its reputation and image. In the mid 1980s, the Comité Champagne began lobbying to strengthen protection of the name "Champagne". Henceforth, any unfair use that trades off the reputation of Champagne is banned, including outside the wine industry.
Thanks to the Comité Champagne’s daily dedication to the cause, the Champagne designation is now recognised and protected in more than 130 countries.
What is an appellation d’origine?
Designations of origin protect the names of some agricultural products, guaranteeing compliance with a defined geographical area and strict specifications referring to traditional know-how. As such, "terroir" is a fundamental aspect of such a designation.
The appellation d’origine contrôlée (controlled designation of origin/AOC) was established in 1935. This sets the rules governing the making of a product on French territory, firstly on the wine and spirits market, before extending to all agricultural products.
In 1992 the appellation d’origine protégée (the French equivalent of the PDO) was created, applying the same guarantees as the AOC but at European level. As with the AOC, the rules for producing an AOP-designated product (enshrined in a set of specifications) are subject to inspection procedures implemented by an independent body accredited by the French National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).
Designations of origin protect the names of some agricultural products, guaranteeing compliance with a defined geographical area and strict specifications referring to traditional know-how. As such, "terroir" is a fundamental aspect of such a designation.
The appellation d’origine contrôlée (controlled designation of origin/AOC) was established in 1935. This sets the rules governing the making of a product on French territory, firstly on the wine and spirits market, before extending to all agricultural products.
In 1992 the appellation d’origine protégée (the French equivalent of the PDO) was created, applying the same guarantees as the AOC but at European level. As with the AOC, the rules for producing an AOP-designated product (enshrined in a set of specifications) are subject to inspection procedures implemented by an independent body accredited by the French National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).
