Classification of wines from Italy: A comprehensive guide
DOCG, DOC, IGT – as a seller of Italian wine, it’s important to distinguish between the different quality levels of Italian wines. However, this is not as easy as it seems at first glance.
Our blog article explains the meaning of the individual labels and how you can differentiate between Italian wines in terms of quality. This ensures you have a clear understanding of what each label indicates, allowing you to expertly guide your customers.
If you are interested in an overview on the different Italian wine types, check out our blog on this topic.
Content:
- Overview of the classification levels of Italian wines
- Additional quality levels for wines from Italy
- FAQ – on the classification of Italian wines
Overview of the classification levels of Italian wines
Before we go into the details, here are a few general comments on the quality levels for wines in Italy.
Basically, there are different quality characteristics to be distinguished.
- The origin – in which region the grapes are grown
- Purity of the variety – which grape varieties are used in a wine
- The quality of the grapes which can be derived from factors such as ripeness and the quantity of harvested fruit
- Quality and traditional characteristics in production
- Quality of the final product after chemical analysis and flavour analysis
When indicating the different quality levels, it is important to distinguish between the traditional Italian classification, which was implemented in 1960, and the standardised European classification, introduced in 2012.
Table of the quality levels of Italian wines
Before we delve into the various quality levels in more detail, here is an overview, including a comparison to European classification.
| Traditional Italian classification | European classification |
| DOCG Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita | PDO Protected designation of origin (Wines with a protected designation of origin) |
| DOC Denominazione di Origine Controllata | |
| IGT Indicazione Geografica Tipica | PGI Protected geographical indication |
| Vini generici (generic wines) | Wines |
Wines without indication of origin
Let’s start at the bottom of the table, with the wines without an indication of origin.
These wines are usually only labelled: red wine, white wine, rosé.
Producers are allowed to mix grapes from different regions and grape varieties.
However, there are also wines in this category that are labelled with the vintage and grape variety.
Are wines without a designation of origin in general of inferior quality?
Absolutely not.
It simply means that the grapes can come from different regions and that the quality is not checked according to the guidelines of the Italian wine law.
As a result, these wines are usually more affordable but can still be of good quality.
At Vianello Wines you will find tasty wines without a designation of origin under the Feudo Italia line from Bennati, e.g. the Vino Rosso or the Vino Bianco. These wines are ideal for customers looking for an affordable wine for larger social events or for large customers such as caterers or restaurants.
PGI/IGT: Wines with Protected geographical indication
The wines in the category IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) or PGI (Protected geographical indication) require information on the growing region and the grape variety, this means these wines come from a specific geographical area.
This category already includes additional quality requirements: among other things, the maximum yield and minimum must weight are determined. For wines to be labelled PGI or IGT, they must undergo an analytical (chemical-physical) examination.
We offer excellent quality PGI/IGT wines with a very good value for money from the Bennati winery and Teatro Latino.
PDO/DOC: Wines with Protected designation of origin
Whereas the European norm only uses the Protected Designation of Origin PDO, the Italian wine law distinguishes between two different levels of protected designation of origin, DOC and DOCG.
The controlled designation of origin, DOC, specifies the grape varieties authorised for the region and the maximum yield. To guarantee the typical character of the wines, the processing in the cellar is defined, and the wines must pass various analytical tests
The EU designation PDO does not distinguish between controlled and guaranteed origin. At our supplier Teatro Latino you will find some very tasty wines labelled DOP.
DOCG wines: the highest quality level in Italy in terms of origin
DOCG wines – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita – are the highest quality level in Italy in terms of designation of origin.
For a wine and a winegrower to be allowed to use this designation of controlled and guaranteed quality, it must have DOC status for 10 years and fulfil even higher requirements.
Many of our winegrowers also offer DOCG wines, for example Bennati Premium or Dante Rivetti.
Are you interested in our wines?
Get in touch with us now for a complimentary consultation!
Additional quality levels for wines from Italy
You will also encounter additional quality characteristics in the designation of Italian wine, which we would like to briefly explain.
Classico: The geographical origin
‘Classico’ refers to DOC or DOCG wines that are located in the original growing areas of this wine. Let’s take the Soave Classico DOC – Libet from Bennati as an example. According to the law, the grapes for this wine must come from a defined subregion of the municipalities of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone. In addition, these wines must fulfil further quality characteristics compared to a Soave without the Classico designation, e.g. in terms of yield per hectare (only 14 tonnes per hectare instead of 15) and alcohol content.
Vigna & Appellation: Wines from exclusive single vineyards
If you find the word ‘Vigna’ on a label, this means that the wine comes from a very specific parcel or vineyard. The quality of this wine is characterised by this special location.
In our assortment you find such a wine from a specific hillside plot from the Dante Rivetti winery – the Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC – Vigna Boschi. This wine is only produced from grapes from this piece of vineyard and is therefore a particularly exclusive red wine.
Superiore: A particularly high quality
For wines to be labelled ‘Superiore’, even stricter rules apply than for DOC/DOCG wines. This means, for example, that the maximum harvest yield is even lower, and the minimum permitted alcohol content is higher. The ageing period before selling the wine also plays a role.
Discover, for example, the elegant Anniversary Valpolicella Superiore from Bennati or the Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC – Alabarda from Dante Rivetti – two outstanding wines that truly live up to the designation ‘Superiore’.
Riserva: Top wines with long maturation
The highest quality designation, called ‘Riserva’, is awarded to wines with a particularly long maturation period. The duration is not fixed and depends on the DOC(G).
You will find selected Riserva wines as special highlights in our product range.
Discover, for example, the exquisite Barbaresco Riserva DOCG – Bricco di Neive from Dante Rivetti, which is also available in particularly precious vintages, the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Cerasum Riserva di Famiglia, an exceptional Italian speciality from the Bennati winery, or the award-winning sparkling wine TrentoDOC – Riserva Extra Brut – Erminia Segalla from Pisoni.
With all these Riserva wines, you will delight customers who are looking for something unique and appreciate complex, multi-layered, and intense aromas.
Additional terms on wine labels
This concludes our short excursion into the classification system of Italian wines. You may now be wondering what other designations mean, such as Ripasso, Passito and the like. These terms refer to special production processes or the particular shape of the grapes. But that’s another interesting story which you will find in our article about Italian wine types.
If you are now interested in testing and comparing wines of various quality levels for your end customers or your wholesale clients in the gastronomy and catering sectors, please feel free to contact us.
FAQ – on the classification of Italian wines
What is the difference between DOC and DOCG?
DOC is the designation for controlled origin whereas DOCG is the designation for controlled and guaranteed origin which includes even stricter and usually higher quality criteria. To achieve DOCG, the DOC quality level must be maintained for at least 10 years.
How many different quality levels are there for Italian wines?
In Italy, a distinction is made between 4 different quality levels: wines without a designation of origin, wines with an indication of origin, wines with controlled origin, and wines with additionally guaranteed origin and quality.
Which quality levels exist for wines?
DOC means Denominazione di Origine Controllata, i.e. controlled designation of origin, and IGT Indicazione Geografica Tipica – protected geographical indication. Both designations correspond to the traditional Italian system.
What is better, DOC or PDO?
There is no general answer, as PDO combines the Italian quality levels DOC and DOCG.
What does IGP mean in Italy?
The designation IGP – Indicazione Geografica Protetta stands for wines with a protected geographical origin in accordance with the European norm. This means that the grape varieties of a wine come from a specific region and must fulfil certain quality characteristics.
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