In the wine world, a designated growing area governed by the rules and regulations established by its central government and local governing body. Such rules vary from country to country but are somewhat similar in their attempt to stimulate the production of quality wines. These regulations are established by the APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CÔNTROLÉE (AOC) in France, the DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA (DOC) in Italy, the DENOMINAÇÃO DE ORIGEM CONTROLADA (DOC) in Portugal, and the DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN (DO) in Spain. Canada has introduced the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) to define quality wines produced in that country. In the United States, the TAX AND TRADE BUREAU (previously BATF) is responsible for approving designated growing areas called AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS (AVA). AVAs in the United States are not focused on quality, as is the French model, but rather on defining an area’s unique growing environment. Besides AVAs, the United States also has appellations of origin, which can be any of the following: the United States, a single state, up to three contiguous states, a single county, or up to three counties in the same state (in which case the word “County” must appear on the label). In order to use an appellation name on a wine label, a wine must adhere to various rules on the percentage of grapes used from that area. For example, for “California” to be used on a label, 100 percent of the grapes must be grown in the state. For a county designation (such as “Monterey County” or “Sonoma County”), 75 percent of the grapes must come from the named county. However, if “Monterey AVA” is used, then 85 percent of the grapes must be grown in that viticultural area. If two contiguous counties are used such as “Napa County” and “Sonoma County” then all the grapes must come from the two counties and the percentage of the wine that comes from each county must be identified on the label. Australia has implemented a system, called geographic indications, that is closer to the United States AVA structure than to the European appellation systems.