VDQS

VDQS meaning in French wine

VDQS (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure) was a French wine classification system that served as an intermediate quality tier between the prestigious Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and the more basic Vin de Pays categories. Established in 1949, this designation applied to wines from specific delimited regions that met stricter production standards than country wines but had not yet achieved AOC status. VDQS wines were subject to regulations governing grape varieties, yields, alcohol content, and winemaking practices, though these requirements were less stringent than those for AOC wines. The system typically featured maximum yields of 65 hectoliters per hectare and minimum alcohol levels of 9-11% depending on the region. Many VDQS regions eventually graduated to AOC status as their wine quality and reputation improved. Notable former VDQS appellations included Côtes du Vivarais and Coteaux du Quercy. The classification was officially abolished in 2011 when remaining VDQS wines were either promoted to AOC status or reclassified under the new Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) system, which replaced the Vin de Pays category as part of European Union wine law harmonization.