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.
Although reaching a high point, the population declined as French authorities associated hybrid varieties with growing wine shortages and instructed the uprooting of many types. Since 1977, Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) laws have prohibited planting Villard grapes in France.