AOC, which stands for ‘Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée’, is a French certification used to classify certain French agricultural products, including wines, cheeses, and butters, among others. This label guarantees that the product comes from a specific geographical area and adheres to strict production and quality standards defined for that appellation. For wines, this means that they must be produced in specific regions and must meet rigorous standards regarding grape varieties used, winemaking processes, and sometimes even ageing requirements. The AOC system helps to preserve traditional farming practices and ensures that consumers are getting a product that is authentic to its region, reflecting the unique characteristics of its terroir.