THE PYRAMID OF ITALIAN WINES – D.O.C.G. WINE

D.O.C.G. wines
On top of the pyramid we find the “Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garan-tita or D.O.C.G.” (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wines. The naming D.O.C.G. is reserved for wines of great value, with high intrinsic qualities, that are also defined by natural, human, and historical factors that have gained commercial value and acclaim both nationally and internationally.
These wines are subjected to stricter production guidelines and have more re-strictive production regulations than D.O.C. wines.

Before being recognized as D.O.C.G. these wines should have been among D.O.C. wines for at least five years. The law also establishes that the product cannot be distributed if it exceeds the maximum capacity of five liter containers. Each bottle must also be equipped with a label bearing an alphanumeric code that is issued by the state. This label is assigned to the bottlers and must be applied on every single bottle produced.

FROM AUGUST 1ST, 2009
D.O.C. and D.O.C.G. wines become D.O.P. (Protected Designation of Origin) to use a single wording standardized for all European agri-food products (not just wine).

D.O.P. (P.D.O.) Protected Designation of Origin
Indicates the name of a region, a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country that is used to describe a wine variety (that comes from that region, specific place or country) whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to the geographical environment including its natural and human factors. The grapes that are used to make a D.O.P wine are 100% produced, processed and prepared in the stated geographical area.

However, it is still permitted to use D.O.C. and D.O.C.G. as acronyms linked to the past and the Italian winemaking tradition.