French wine plays an important role in French identity and pride. Besides bread and water, the French consume wine and cheese with every meal. The combination of French wine and the equally influential French gastronomy has been an important one. Over the last decades, however, international competition in the wine industry has become more fierce, and France has been challenged both by winemakers of the New World and by traditional wine-producing countries in southern Europe, while domestic consumption of wine has decreased. Since the French wine industry is heterogeneous and ranges from production of very cheap table wine to expensive first growths and similar "luxury" wines, these changes have hit some very hard and others not at all. While some regions are plagued with constant overproduction of low-quality wines that can not find buyers, and many smaller growers have an increasingly difficult time making a living, some top producers are more profitable than ever. Thus, France has the world's second-largest total vineyard surface (behind Spain) and competes with Italy for the position of having the world's largest wine production. The earliest history of French wine goes back to the 6th century B.C., and many of France's regions count their wine-making history to Roman times. France is the source of many grape varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah), several winemaking practices,and the names of many French wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are widely known. Two central concepts to high-quality French wines are the notion of terroir and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. "Terroir wines" reflect their place of origin, which are specified on labels of French wine, usually in terms of the wine's appellation. Appellation rules closely define which grape varieties and winemaking practices are allowed in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations. These rules must be followed by all producers who wish to use an AOC designation for their wines. French wine is classified into four levels of quality and any given bottle of wine will have one of the following four classifications marked on the label: Vin de Table: Literally translates as 'table wine'. This is very ordinary wine, perhaps to be consumed at the table with a simple meal. Vin de Pays: Officially, a superior form of vin de table. As this is still a vin de table (although a superior form), it will have both vin de table and vin de pays on the label. VDQS: The abbreviation for Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (literally 'wine of superior quality'). Officially better than the previous two classifications, but not as good as an AOC. AOC: The abbreviation for Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée. In theory, the highest standard of wine. The quality wine ratings are determined largely by the methods of production, on the basis that if certain production standards are met then the quality of the end product should be assured. The ratings are not based on tasting of the wine itself and omit a number of important variables (the quality of grapes in any given year, or the flair of the individual wine maker). Consequently, there is a great deal of variation within the classifications; the best vin de table can be better than the worst AOC wine. It is wise to take these four quality ratings as only rough indications.
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