Hello. I'm starting to get into Italian wines- red and white. I just noticed that one of two different appellation notations can be found on the labels: "Denominazione Di Origine Controllata" or "Indicazione Geografica Tipica."
Would someone please explain the difference to me? And, does any other country have more than one such appellation notation that I've just never noticed?
TIA, Jack
-------------------------------- "There are no standards of taste in wine, cigars, poetry, prose, etc. Each man's own taste is the standard and a majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard." - Mark Twain, 1895
----- Original Message ----- From: "cruciverbalist" Newsgroups: alt.food.wine Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 4:16 PM Subject: A Question About Italian Wine Labels Jack: you are about to dive into one of the most confusing labeling systems known to man....Italy..... (my appologies in advance to Italians, but DAMN...you guys make it tough). One of the downsides of having a new Govt. every 9 months or so.
one of two different appellation notations can be found
D.O.C. & I.G.T. These are not specific appelations as such. They denote (in a general way & I'm sure I'll spark debate & clarification) 'quality' levels. These qualifiers denote what classification the wines fall under... Like the V.Q.A in Canada & A.O.C. in France. D.O.C. is Supposed to garuntee a certain level of quality (This is highly debatable) the next level is D.O.C.G. (auruntia) in theory, is a guarunteed level of quality. But, more importantly... The D.O.C. laws also dictate what grape varietals may be used in the vinting process. These have been resrticted to traditional Italian grapes..... The I.G.T. classification (Goria's Law) Was created to encompass quality wines that were being made with international (ie. Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah) Varietals, which did not fit the D.O.C. rules. VOLUMES, have been written about these laws & Italian wine labeling.... Far too much to get into here, now, after 4 glasses of Burrowing Owl Cabernet. I hope this at least covers the basics to your (& the news group's) satisfaction.
D.O.C. is a designation which imposes a formula of how the wines are to be made, according to custom (and obviously, geographical specificity, which is a given).
Some varieties of grapes which were not native Italian can be used, but up to very circum-proscribed limits.
Basically, a D.O.C wine has to be classically "Italian" in character.
I.G.T. opens the floodgates for experimentation, and yet it still carries an acknowledgement of legitimacy; legitimacy of intent, if not of quality per se
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