Sicily

Italy’s Wine Classifications

Italy’s Wine Classifications

DOCG Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

DOCG is the highest classification for Italian wines. It denotes controlled (controllata)production methods and guaranteed (garantita) wine quality. There are strict rulesgoverning the production of DOCG wines, most obviously the permitted grape varieties, yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures and barrel/bottle maturation. EveryDOCG wine is subject to official tasting procedures. To prevent counterfeiting, thebottles have a numbered government seal across the neck.

How do you say Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita?

DOCG Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

DOC is the main tier of Italian wine classification and covers almost every traditionalItalian wine style. There are around 330 individual DOC titles, each with a set of lawsgoverning its viticultural zone, permitted grape varieties and wine style. Those whichshow consistently high quality, earn promotion to DOCG status.

How do you say Denominazione di Origine Controllata?

Indicazione Geografica Tipica

IGT was introduced in 1992, to allow a certain level of freedom to Italy’s winemakers.Prior to 1992, many wines failed to qualify for DOC or DOCG status – not becausethey were of low quality, but because they were made from grape varieties (or blends)not sanctioned under DOC/G laws. The IGT classification focuses on the region of origin,rather than grape varieties or wine styles.

How do you say Indicazione Geografica Tipica?

Unique Classifications For Sicily

Terre Siciliane IGT is a region-wide IGT for Sicily that was established in 2011. It replacesthe previous IGT for Sicily, Sicilia IGT. Its wine production has a stylistic freedom of theIGT category.  Wines can be made in  any style: red and white still wines, sparkling wines,and dry or sweet wines.

Sicilia DOC  is a regions-wide DOC, also created in 2011. It includes the  island of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands,  and Pantelleria. In 2017, new rules stipulated that wines made fromeither Grillo or Nero d’Avola must be classified as Sicilia DOC,  removing these  varietalsfrom the IGT category.

International varieties, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon can be used butare not a significant factor in Terre Siciliane IGT wine production.

How do you say Terre Siciliane Sicilia?

Vino da Tavola means ‘table wine’ in Italian and represents the most basic level of Italian wine.

How do you say Vino da Tavola?

Regions of Sicily