appellations

An appellation is a geographic name used on a product's label to indicate its place of origin and the qualities associated with that origin. Appellations are most commonly found on wine, cheese, bread, olive oil, and other agricultural products, and they may reflect terroir, traditional production methods, or historical practices.

In many countries, appellations are legally protected designations of origin. In the European Union these are organized as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). Specific countries maintain their own systems, such as France's Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Italy's Denominazioni di Origine Controllata/Protetta (DOC/DOP). In the United States, the concept appears mainly through American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) for wine and other region-based labeling; enforcement and terminology vary by product and jurisdiction.

Appellations aim to convey authenticity and consistency by tying product attributes to a defined place. They usually require a product specification detailing allowed ingredients or grape varieties, production methods, geographic boundaries, aging requirements, and labeling rules. A governing body or consortium oversees compliance, trademark protection, and audits, and incurs penalties for violations.

Appellations can influence market value and consumer perception by signaling quality and origin, while also imposing certain production and labeling restrictions. They reflect a regulatory approach to protecting origin-based identity in a global marketplace.