A system of designation of origin developed by a union of winemakers, government legislators and research institutions, identifying the wines based on the origin of the grapes from which they are produced. With this system, Canada joins other wine–producing countries in developing a system of regulations and standards for its wines. As the French AOC, every region of Canada establishes its own rules on the vines allowed and sugar levels at harvest. Unlike the French AOC wines, VQA wines are analyzed by a group of independent experts, and only those that meet or exceed the VQA standards are entitled to the designation. These wines can exhibit on the bottle the VQA medal.
