TERCLIM 2026 - Landscape Diagnosis and Delimitation of PDOs wine in France
France has 386 wine PDOs covering 505,000 hectares of vineyards, which account for 64% of France’s vineyard area and 41% of wine production.
Each appellation embodies a strong identity, underpinned by strict rules and a defined production area. Within this area, grapes are harvested from plots selected based on specific environmental criteria, validated by historical practices.
Producers and their collective organizations may request a revision of these zones. The INAO then conducts an inventory of the current zoning to shed light on issues related to land use planning. This innovative approach has been systematized since 2025.
Methods and Objectives
Three examples are presented to illustrate the implementation of the territorial assessment, along with the associated maps
PDO "Cérons" / Municipality of Cérons
Appellation recognized in 1936 – appellation boundaries revised in 1989 and again in 2023
Revision of the AOP boundaries to exclude urbanized plots that have lost all wine-growing potential (removal of 30.7% of the classified area for this municipality)
PDO "Costières de Nîmes"
Appellation recognized in 1986 –PDO parcel area unchanged since its recognition
A parcel area largely concerned by protected natural areas and ecological compensation zones. Nearly 40% of the PDO area planted with vines is covered by these environmental protection zones, which can create challenges for production.
PDO "Grignan-Les-Adhémar"
Originally recognized under the name “Coteaux du Tricastin,” in 1973
The appellation’s boundaries were significantly reconfigured (reduced by 62%) in 2023, when the name was changed, to better reflect the natural environment, developed areas, and areas actually planted with vines.
Conclusion
This analysis facilitates an understanding of the dynamics of the appellation’s territory since its official recognition. Based on this assessment, at the request of producers, it is possible to revise the PDO’s parcel area so that it aligns with actual land use and is consistent with public planning policies. Thus, urbanized and developed areas, as well as protected natural areas, can be appropriately excluded from the parcel area. This proactive approach has proven effective in sustainably strengthening the protection of plots within the PDO area that are planted with vines or intended for vine cultivation, against other activities or projects.
Additional information
View the full poster (PDF / 6,2mo)
Other projects presented by the INAO at the TERCLIM Congress :
- Strengthening the sustainability of French wine geographical indications - establishing a method applicable to all French GIs
- Maintaining the typicity of wines in a context of climate change: the impact of delimitation - example of the Côte Roannaise PDO