How to navigate the various wine denominations: IGT, DOC, DOCG and VQPRD?
Table wines (VDT)
Typical geographic indication wines (IGT)
Controlled designation of origin wines (DOC)
Controlled and guaranteed designation of origin wines (DOCG)
Quality wines produced in a specific region (VQPRD) with indication of the sub-zone (municipality, hamlet, estate, farm, vineyard - VQPRD, DOC, DOCG).
What do all those abbreviations mean that we can find on a wine label?
Is it really true that a DOC denomination wine is better than a table wine?
Let's proceed in order and try to shed some light on the matter.
VDT wine denomination
The abbreviation VDT stands for vino da tavola, meaning table wine, and refers to all those wines that do not wish to comply with a production specification.
Products identified this way show on their label only the indication "Vino da tavola", along with the name or registered name of the bottler.
Mandatory information includes the color indication (White, Rosé, Red), while the grape variety or varieties used and the year of production are not required to be declared.
It is also true that VDT is not synonymous with poor quality – sometimes it simply means not falling under any production specification.
That said, is it therefore possible to find table wines of great quality and prestige?
The answer is yes – just consider that some great Italian wines, including the famous BOLGHERI SASSICAIA, were classified in this category until 1984.
Many producers prefer to use this designation in order to create true enological experiments that would otherwise not be feasible under a production specification.
IGT wine denomination
The abbreviation IGT qualifies those table wines produced in specific regions or geographic areas according to a general production specification and stands for "INDICAZIONE GEOGRAFICA TIPICA".
Wines distinguished by this abbreviation, unlike regular table wines, may indicate on their label a general production specification as well as the grape variety or varieties and the harvest vintage.
Classifying a wine among "Table wines" or "IGT" wines is primarily a commercial choice, or, given the nature of the wine itself, a matter of not fitting within the more restrictive specifications of DOC and DOCG.
DOC wine denomination
The abbreviation DOC indicates a "Denominazione di Origine Controllata" wine – it is a mark of origin that identifies the grape harvesting area used for the production of the wine that carries this information on its label.
DOC is used to identify a quality product with characteristics traceable to a specific production area, considering both environmental and production factors.
DOC wines, before being placed on the market, undergo chemical-physical and organoleptic analysis during processing to verify compliance with the requirements of the production specification.
DOCG wine denomination
The abbreviation DOCG indicates a "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" product.
DOCG encompasses wines produced in specific geographic areas in compliance with a strict production specification approved by Ministerial Decree.
The DOCG designation is reserved for wines already recognized as controlled designation of origin (DOC) for at least five years, which are considered of particular merit in relation to their intrinsic qualitative characteristics compared to the average of similar wines so classified.
DOCG wines, before being placed on the market, just like DOC wines, must undergo chemical-physical and organoleptic analysis during production to certify compliance with the requirements of the production specification.
VQPRD wine denomination
The abbreviation VQPRD is used to highlight the quality of wines produced in a specific region. If the label of DOC and DOCG wines also indicates the production sub-zone, the wine is classified as VQPRD (Vino di Qualità Prodotto in Regione Determinata).
Example: Barolo docg Brunate Le Coste di Rinaldi Giuseppe az. Agricola
OTHER MENTIONS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE LABEL ARE:
Classico: For wines produced in the oldest area of origin.
Riserva: For wines subjected to aging.
Superiore: For wines with higher alcohol content and aging characteristics compared to the standards of their DOC/DOCG designation.
What do you think?
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