Wine Glossary: A

American Viticultural Area; AVA: In the United States, a term that defines the geographical boundaries of a specific wine zone or region. For example, Napa Valley is the name of the AVA within Napa County.

AOC: An acronym for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (the shortened form is Appellation Contrôlée, or AC). AOC is a classification relating to the quality of a wine produced in the European Union (EU).

AOQS: An acronym for Appellation d’Origine de Qualité Supérieure. AOQS is a classification relating to the quality of a wine produced in the European Union (EU); in this case, refers to a wine of superior quality.

appellation: In the European Union, a registered place name listed on a wine label that indicates the origin of the wine. Sometimes called appellation of origin.

aroma: A wine descriptor that refers to how a wine smells.