INAO’s work on strengthening the sustainability of French wine geographical indications – implementation of a methodology

Abstract

While GIs are inherently sustainable, as they are based on a strong link between the product and its terroir, they now face challenges such as market instability, climate change, and societal expectations. In this increasingly competitive world, it is therefore essential to strengthen the sustainability of GIs.

The INAO’s Objectives and Performance Contract, signed in 2024 with the Ministry of Agriculture, provides for enhanced support for GIs in terms of sustainability, with the following points:

• Each GI must establish its own sustainability strategy, including an economic, environmental, and social approach.
• Sustainability is an integral part of a competitiveness strategy.
• Territorial coherence with other stakeholders in the region must be sought.

The chosen working method comprises three steps:

• 1) The GIs will conduct a review of existing practices in the three pillars of sustainability before April 2026.
• 2) Each GI will develop a sustainability strategy by spring 2027.
• 3) Each strategy will then be implemented and updated regularly.

All French wine GIs are involved, and the method relies on taking into account the proposals of the operators, according to a bottom-up principle.

The INAO has published a support guide, which has been sent to all GIs and is also available on the INAO website, to facilitate the collective definition of objectives.

The collective aspect of decision-making is a key element of the chosen method, as GIs are shared tools whose management relies on collective reflection.

References

OIV :  Resolution 641 -2020 : Guide for the implementation of principles of sustainable vitiviniculture

OIV : Resolution 518-2016 : General principles of sustainable vitiviniculture – Environmental -Social – Economic and cultural aspects

IFV : Guide Agroecological transition and climate change in viticulture (2022)

INAO : Guide to support the management bodies of wine and cider PGIs “Method for processing applications for wine and cider PGIs regarding sustainability” (2025)

INAO : Guide to support the management bodies of wine and cider PDOs “Method for processing applications for wine and cider PGIs regarding sustainability” (2025)