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Italy’s Wine Classifications
DOCG is the highest classification for Italian wines. It denotes controlled (controllata)
production methods and guaranteed (garantita) wine quality. There are strict rules
governing the production of DOCG wines, most obviously the permitted grape varieties,
yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures and barrel/bottle maturation. Every
DOCG wine is subject to official tasting procedures. To prevent counterfeiting, the
bottles have a numbered government seal across the neck.
How do you say Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita?
DOC is the main tier of Italian wine classification and covers almost every traditional
Italian wine style. There are around 330 individual DOC titles, each with a set of laws
governing its viticultural zone, permitted grape varieties and wine style. Those which
show consistently high quality earn promotion to DOCG status.
How do you say Denominazione di Origine Controllata?
IGT was introduced in 1992, to allow a certain level of freedom to Italy’s winemakers.
Prior to 1992, many wines failed to qualify for DOC or DOCG status – not because
they were of low quality, but because they were made from grape varieties (or blends)
not sanctioned under DOC/G laws. The IGT classification focuses on the region of origin,
rather than grape varieties or wine styles.
How do you say Indicazione Geografica Tipica?
Terre Siciliane IGT is a region-wide IGT for Sicily that was established in 2011. It replaces
the previous IGT for Sicily, Sicilia IGT. Its wine production has a stylistic freedom of the
IGT category. Wines can be made in any style: red and white still wines, sparkling wines,
and dry or sweet wines.
Sicilia DOC is a regions-wide DOC, also created in 2011. It includes the island of Sicily,
the Aeolian Islands, and Pantelleria. In 2017, new rules stipulated that wines made from
either Grillo or Nero d’Avola must be classified as Sicilia DOC, removing these varietals
from the IGT category.
International varieties, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon can be used but
are not a significant factor in Terre Siciliane IGT wine production.
How do you say Terre Siciliane Sicilia?
Vino da Tavola means ‘table wine’ in Italian and represents the most basic level of Italian wine.
How do you say Vino da Tavola?