03.26.06
A guide to the Italian Wine Laws. Italian food and wine.
A guide to the Italian Wine Laws. Italian food and wine.
The Italians have a system of wine laws to regulate the industry. These modern wine laws were established in 1963 to give structure to the Wine industry. For the consumer these laws help goven our choise, allowing us to distinguish the different Italian wines by quality and region.
1. Vino da Tavola.
Simple table wines that carry neither a grape name or a vintage date.
2. Indicazione Geografica Tipica.
These wines fall between Vino da Tavola and Denomination of Controlled Origin. The wines label must declare its specific region, grape type and vintage.
3. Denominazione di Origine Controllata.
Wines bearing this label are registered by the goverment. Their labels must state their zone of origin and the wines are required to meet certain production standards. Only approved methods of planting, cultivating and fertilizing can be used.
4. Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita.
The most stringent of the categories, this section embraces all DOC controls and requires a producer to control and guarantee everything claimed on the wines label. Each bottle has a goverment seal of approval and the wine is subject to analysis at any time by goverment inspectors.
