Our Wineguide

France is one of the leading wine-Producing countries in the world

France, Italy and Spain together represent almost half of the world’s wine production. The new wine producing countries, such as Australia, Chile, Argentina, China and South Africa are still way behind! France is also the top wine consumer world-wide, with an annual consumption per capita of 49 litres!

World-wide wine production: 268 millions of hectolitres

French wines are divided into 3 main categories. Since August 2009 the official categories are the following:

Vin de France
Former "Vin de Table"
or Table wine

IGP
Indication Géographique Protégée
Wine with Protected Geographical Indication Former "Vin de Pays"

AOP
Appellation d'Origine Protégée
Wine with Protected Appellation of Origin
Former Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

No specific area
No selected grapes
but since August 2009 possibility to mention the varietal names on the label
Limited yields
Minimum and maximum alcohol content

Specific region
Selected grapes
Limited yields
Minimum and maximum alcohol content
Final approval

Restricted area, specific “terroir”
Selected grapes
Limited yields
Vineyard monitoring
Winemaking methods
Final approval

= Strict criterias

While the production of AOP (AOC) wines in France is constant, the production of basic table wines is decreasing and IGP wines (Vin de Pays), including "varietal" wines, are on the increase. This corresponds to new consumption trends focused on good quality, easy-drinking wines with marked varietal character. The new Vin de France category now also offers the possibility to mention the varietal name on the label.

Barton & Guestier, one of the leading brands on fine French wines world-wide, produces AOP (AOC) and IGP (Vins de Pays) wines from the main French wine growing regions: Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Rhône Valley, Languedoc, Gascony, Provence Australia and Corsica.