How do you build an AOC from scratch? Legendary Northern Rhône winemaker Yves Cuilleron joins The Real Fishwives of Paris to explain the fascinating (and often frustrating) process of turning forgotten vineyards into officially recognized French appellations.
In France, wine isn’t just about grape varieties. It’s about place, history, and tradition. That’s what the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) and AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) labels are all about: rules that protect French terroir and guarantee quality. From Champagne to Bordeaux, these designations are the backbone of French gastronomy and culture. And now, the Rhône Valley is about to welcome number 364: Vins de Vienne.
In this episode, we dive into:
🇫🇷 What an AOC/AOP actually means (and why the French ask for a Bordeaux, not a Merlot)
🍇 How Yves Cuilleron helped rescue Condrieu and bring Viognier back from extinction
🌱 Why farming on the Rhône’s granite terraces is so difficult and why the wines are worth it
📜 The bureaucracy, history, and politics behind creating a new French appellation
🔥 How climate change is reshaping Northern Rhône Syrah today
Whether you’re a wine nerd, a French food lover, or just curious about French culture, this conversation will give you insider knowledge on how French wine laws, history, and gastronomy all connect.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into French food and wine culture.
🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @realfishwivesofparis
📩 Partnerships & inquiries: bonjour@realfishwivesofparis.com
3 Comments
How do you spell the name of his wine?
This is the kind of in-depth discussion of the minutiae of the Appellation system I have been desiring. Merci to you both and to Yves for the clear explanations and a tangible example! One great thing about your channel is that you are paying appropriate attention to sound quality.
Please add any links and spellings to Yves' wine so I can look for it or request it from my wine shop. Sometimes it is difficult to get the words exactly (and the google translation is still merde). Thanks!