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Vines in Belgium

The appellations

The types of appellation

AOP (PDO): Appellation d’Origine Protégée (Protected Designation of Origin)

This is the AOC system (Appellation d’Origine Controlée or controlled designation of origin in English), but for all the countries of the European Union. Europe has adopted and adapted the same system of origin. A PDO wine must satisfy very strict specifications over a demarcated area: grape varieties, yields, type of pruning, etc. The product made cannot be produced outside the designated terroir. The Walloon Belgian PDOs are managed by the Walloon Association of Wine-makers.

IGP (PGI): Indication Géographique Protégée (Protected Geographical Indication), formerly known as “Vin de Pays”

PGI was created following a European desire to extend the system of identifying products by their origin. This indication designates a product whose characteristics are very closely linked to the geographical zone in which at least their production, transformation or elaboration is conducted.

The current appellations

AOP Hagelandsewijn
located in the Hageland area.

AOP Haspengouwse Wijn
located in the Flemish Hesbaye region.

AOP Heuvellandse Wijn
located in the regions of Montelberg, Kemmelberg, Baneberg and Vidaigneberg.

AOP Côtes de Sambre & Meuse
it includes the geographical sub-basins of the Meuse (upstream, downstream, Oise and Sambre).

IGP Jardins de Wallonie
this encompasses the entire Walloon wine-making area.

IGP Vlaamse Landwijn
this includes the entire Flemish region.

Vins mousseux de qualité & crémants de Wallonie
this concerns Wallonia.

Vlaamse Mousserende Kwaliteiswijn
this concerns the Flanders.