Understanding the Categories of Italian Wine
Because Italy is a member of the European Union, her official system of categorizing wines (her appellation system) must conform to the two-tier EU system. This system distinguishes quality wines from tables wines.
In the upper tier — Quality Wines Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) — Italy has two categories of wine:
DOCG wines (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), translated as regulated and guaranteed place-name, a small group of elite wines. The long Italian phrase corresponding to the initials DOCG appears on the labels of these wines.
DOC wines (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), translated as regulated place-name, Italy’s basic QWPSR wines. The phrase Denominazione di Origine Controllata appears on the labels of these wines.
The terms DOC and DOCG refer both to wine zones and the wines of those zones. The DOCG Soave, for example, is both a place (a specific production zone defined and regulated by Italian law, named after a town called Soave) and the wine of that place.
In the lower EU tier — table wine — Italy has another two categories of wine:
IGT wines (Indicazione di Geografica Tipica), which are table wines with a geographic indication on the label. Most of these wines were previously labeled as vino da tavola followed by a geographic designation, and you still find this wording on some labels.
Ordinary table wines that carry no geographical indication except “Italy.”
Wine Glossary
American Viticultural Area; AVA
In the United States, a term that defines the geographical boundaries of a specific wine zone or region. For example, Napa Valley is the name of the AVA within Napa County.
Wine Glossary
AOC
An acronym for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (the shortened form is Appellation Contrôlée, or AC). AOC is a classification relating to the quality of a wine produced in the European Union (EU).
Wine Glossary
AOQS
An acronym for Appellation d’Origine de Qualité Supérieure. AOQS is a classification relating to the quality of a wine produced in the European Union (EU); in this case, refers to a wine of superior quality.
Wine Glossary
appellation
In the European Union, a registered place name listed on a wine label that indicates the origin of the wine. Sometimes called appellation of origin.
Wine Glossary
aroma
A wine descriptor that refers to how a wine smells.
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balance
A standard that wine experts use to judge wine quality; the relationship of four components (acidity, sweetness, tannin, and alcohol) to each other.
Wine Glossary
body
A wine descriptor that explains how heavy a wine feels in your mouth (often related to the alcohol content). Wines are often described as light-bodied, medium-bodied, or full-bodied.
Wine Glossary
bouquet
A wine descriptor that refers to how a (typically well-aged) wine smells.
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complexity
A standard that wine experts use to judge wine quality; refers to a characteristic of a wine that has multiple flavors and aromas (usually a better quality wine).
Wine Glossary
crisp
A wine descriptor that refers to a wine with refreshing (typically high) acidity.
Wine Glossary
decanter
A glass container that can hold the contents of an entire bottle of wine; often used to aerate the wine (let it breathe before consuming).
Wine Glossary
depth
A standard that wine experts use to judge wine quality; indicates a wine that gives the impression of having many layers (rather than being "flat" tasting).
Wine Glossary
DO
An acronym for Denominação de Origen. DO is Portugal’s highest quality ranking for their wines.
Wine Glossary
DOC
An acronym for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. DOC is a classification referring to a quality wine produced in Italy.
Wine Glossary
DOCG
An acronym for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. DOCG is a classification relating to a small group of elite (high-quality) wines produced in Italy.
Wine Glossary
dry
A wine descriptor that refers to a wine that is not sweet. Wines can be classified as dry, off-dry (or semi-sweet), or sweet.
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fermentation
The process (during winemaking) in which yeasts convert the sugars in a grape juice to alcohol and carbon dioxide.
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finish
A wine descriptor that refers to the impression a wine leaves in your mouth after you taste and swallow it (the aftertaste). A standard used to judge wine quality.
Wine Glossary
flavor intensity
A wine descriptor that refers to how strong or weak a wine's flavors are.
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fruity
A wine descriptor that refers to a wine that has aromas and flavors that suggest fruit.
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IGT
An acronym for Indicazione di Geografica Tipica. IGT is a table wine classification for Italian wines that list a geographic location on the wine label.
Wine Glossary
length
A standard that wine experts use to judge wine quality; indicates a wine that you can taste on the full length of your tongue, rather than just the front of your tongue.
Wine Glossary
oaky
A wine descriptor that refers to a wine that has flavors of oak, usually due to storage in oak barrels.
Wine Glossary
palate
A term that wine tasters use synonymously for mouth.
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QbA
An acronym for Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiet. QbA is a classification referring to a quality wine from a special region in Germany.
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QmP
An acronym for Qualitätswein mit Prädikat. QmP is a classification referring to a quality wine with special attributes produced in Germany.
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QWPSR
An acronym for Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region. QWPSR is a classification referring to quality European wines that have official place names.
Wine Glossary
sediment
Refers to solids (tannin and other matter) that develop in some red wines over time.
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soft
A wine descriptor that refers to a wine with a smooth feel in the palate; usually refers to wines with low acidity.
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sommelier
An expert wine specialist who typically assembles a wine list and recommends wines that pair with specific foods.
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tannic
A wine descriptor that refers to a firm, red wine that leaves a dry feel in the palate.
Wine Glossary
tannin
A substance in grape skins that contributes to how a red wine tastes.
Wine Glossary
terroir
A French word (pronounced ter wahr) that refers to the unique combination of topsoil, climate, altitude, and other natural factors that a particular vineyard or wine region has.
Wine Glossary
typicity
A standard that wine experts use to judge wine quality; refers to whether a particular wine is true to its type (for the specific grape variety).
Wine Glossary
varietal
A wine that is named after the principal (or sole) grape variety used to produce the wine.
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vintage
The year in which the grapes for a specific wine were grown and harvested.
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VR
An acronym for Vinho Regional. VR indicates a table wine classification for Portuguese wines.
