The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, or AOC, is the French classification system for fine wines grown in France. The AOC tells consumers where the grapes were grown and what style the wine was made. 

There are four levels of AOC classification: regional, sub-regional, village or commune, and special classification such as Cru. The classification was established in the 1930s, starting in the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.