Italian Wine Labels

Italian Wine Label Information Our full range of Italian wines is here. Italian wine labels, like those from most wine countries, are required by law to show an established set of basic information (producer name, appellation, vintage, alcohol content and bottle volume). Italy began developing its official wine classifications in the 1960s, modeled on the French appellation system. The DOC and DOCG categories were introduced in 1963 (although the latter remain unused until 1982), and the IGT category followed in the early 1990's. The four tiers of Italian wine classification are: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is the highest classification for Italian wines. It denotes controlled (controllata) production methods and guaranteed (garantita) wine quality. There are strict rules governing the production of DOCG wines, most obviously the permitted grape varieties, yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures and barrel/bottle maturation. Every DOCG wine is subject to official tasting procedures. To prevent counterfeiting, the bottles have a numbered government seal across the neck. DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is the main tier of Italian wine classification, and covers almost every traditional Italian wine style. There are around 330 individual DOC titles, each with a set of laws governing its viticultural zone, permitted grape varieties and wine style. Those which show consistently high quality earn promotion to DOCG status. IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) 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 because they 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. Vino da Tavola: means 'table wine' in Italian, and represents the most basic level of Italian wine. The Vino da Tavola category held a certain prestige in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to experimental winemakers who produced top-quality (but unorthodox) wines under the title. This situation has gradually diminished, however, since the introduction of the IGT category with its more flexible production conditions, and Vino da Tavola has steadily returned to its original status as the lowest rung on Italy's wine quality ladder. Super Tuscans This useful but unofficial term emerged in the 1970s, to describe a particular set of high-quality Tuscan wines which were precluded from claiming DOC or DOCG status because they broke traditional Italian winemaking norms (foreign grape varieties were used, and the wines were often matured in small, new oak barrels). Several of these wines earned global recognition and astronomical price tags - hence 'Super Tuscan'. Originally these wines had to be labeled as Vino da Tavola because they contravened the stringent, tradition-focused DOC laws. This situation ultimately led to the creation of the IGT category, with its relatively relaxed production rules. Italian Wine Terms Abboccato Slightly sweet Amabile Medium-sweet Amarone Dry red wine made from dried grapes (a form of passito) Azienda/Tenuta/Podere Estate Bianco White Cantina Winery Cantina sociale Co-operative winery Chiaretto Pale red or dark rosé Classico Denotes the traditional, theoretically superior, vineyard area within a DOC/G zone Dolce Sweet Frizzante Slightly sparkling Imbottigliato all'origine Estate-bottled Metodo Classico Sparkling wine made by the classic Champagne method Novello Literally 'new' – describes light, fruity wines intended for early consumption rather than cellaring Passito Generic term for wine made from dried grapes (typically sweet but sometimes dry) Recioto Sweet red or white wine made from dried grapes (a form of passito) Ripasso full-bodied, powerful wine style made by re-fermenting wine with amarone grape skins Riserva Literally 'reserve'. Denotes extended ageing (in cask, then bottle) before the wine is sent to market. Rosato Rosé Rosso Red Secco Dry Spumante Sparkling Superiore wines with greater concentration and higher alcoholic strength Vendemmia Vintage Vigneto Vineyard Vin Santo A dessert wine style originally from Tuscany, generally made from air-dried Trebbiano grapes. The style is now made in various Italian regions.