However, from that peak its numbers soon declined as French authorities attributed the proliferation of hybrid varieties as a cause of the growing wine lake problem in France and ordered the uprooting of many varieties. Since 1977 Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) laws have forbidden the planting of the Villard grapes in France.
Despite reaching a high point, the numbers of these plants fell quickly due to French authorities linking hybrid varieties to growing wine shortages and ordering their removal. Since 1977, Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) laws have banned the cultivation of Villard grapes in France.