The French appellations body, the INAO, has approved four new appellations.
The National Institute of Appellations said on Friday that as well as the new appellations it has extended existing ones.
An INAO spokeswoman told decanter.com that further new appellations ‘could be approved by November or next January’.
Two entirely new AOCs, Orléans and Orléans-Cléry, are situated in the Loiret. Orléans covers red, rose and white wines, based on Pinot and Chardonnay respectively. Orléans-Clery is smaller, with Cabernet Franc recognised as the main varietal.
Chaume is now a distinct appellation from AOC Coteaux du Layon. The region produces sweet white Chenin-based wines, which are affected by passerillage, a shrivelling caused by strong winds.
Pézenas is a new denomination of the Coteaux de Languedoc AOC. The appellation will also be extended to cover Collioure, Côtes du Roussillon, Corbières, Cabardès, Limoux and Minervois, as a first step in the creation of a regional Languedoc AOC.
Written by Frances Robinson
