AOC Champagne - What is an appellation d'origine contrôlée?

The foundations and existence of an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) rely on three bodies (a guardian, a manager and an inspector) and two tools (a specification and an inspection plan).

Three bodies :

• The Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité (INAO) is responsible for the overall management of SIQO (quality and origin identification signs), of which AOCs are a part. The INAO recognizes an AOC and defines how it operates: delimitation of its territory, recognition of its Organismes de défense et de gestion (ODG) and Organisme d'inspection (OI), validation of the specifications and inspection plan, etc. In short, the INAO is, in a way, the guardian of the appellation d'origine contrôlée, since it is the bearer of the system and guarantor of its smooth operation.
  
  
• The Organisme de défense et de gestion (ODG) is the appellation's manager. Recognized by the INAO, the ODG has three main missions: management, control and defense of the appellation. Thus, the ODG:
  - draws up the specifications and contributes to their application,
  - proposes the inspection body and participates in the drafting of the inspection plan,
  - carries out part of the control (educational and non-sanctioning) of operators,
  - contributes to the preservation and enhancement of the terroirs, local traditions, know-how and products derived from them,
  - acts to defend and protect the name, the product and the terroir.
  
  In Champagne, the Syndicat Général des Vignerons has been recognized by the INAO as an Organisme de Défense et de Gestion des AOC Champagne et Coteaux Champenois. It should be noted that the SGV was previously the Syndicat de Défense of these same appellations, and was therefore responsible for a large proportion of the missions now assigned to the ODGs. Another part of these missions was carried out by the CIVC
• The inspection body (OI) is the controller. Proposed by the ODG, it is approved by the INAO. This body draws up an inspection plan for each specification, in consultation with the ODG. It is on the basis of this inspection plan that the IO carries out controls on Champagne operators. In Champagne, the inspection body is the Association d'inspection des appellations de la Champagne (AIDAC). Approved on July 1, 2008, it inspects the appellations Champagne (AOC), Coteaux champenois (AOC), Rosé des Riceys (AOC), Marc de Champagne (Regulated Appellation of Origin) and Eaux-de-vie de vin de la Marne (Regulated Appellation of Origin).