Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure (VDQS)

[van deh-lee-mee-TAY duh kah-lee-TAY soo-pehr-YUR] French for "Delimited Wine of Superior Quality." This is the second-highest classification level for French wines, the top category being appellation d'origine contrôlée (ac). There are two categories below VDQS-vin de pays and vin de table. VDQS wines are controlled by regulations similar to AOC wines. Many VDQS wines are of excellent quality, and the French have promoted over twenty VDQS areas to AOC status. This classification is shrinking in size as the VDQS are being promoted and few new ones are being created.