Italian Wine Classification System
If you want to know Italian wines, you must know something about the Italian wine classification system. This system, created by the Italian government, sets the rules for Italian wine makers.
Many would say it complicates an already complicated subject, i.e. Italian wine. However, once you know the basics, it gives you one major factor to use in picking an appropriate wine for the occasion, whatever it may be. In fact, this may be the easiest part of your Italian wine education. The most intimidating thing about the system is the pronunciation of the designations. We will work on that, but the initials will do just fine.
As always, Bambino is the first level, with the basics of the system.
The Ragazzo level introduces the DOCGs of Italy, the highest level wine-producing areas.
Skip to Ragazzo for the DOCG list.
Bambino
In keeping with our "simplistic" approach, we placed the basics of the system in a table. For now, this is all you really need to know about the system. You save your energy for learning about the areas and wines that have achieved certain designations, like the DOCGs and DOCs in the Ragazzo level.
Italian Wine Classification System Summary
| | | |
| Highest Quality | | | Lowest Quality |
| Classification | | | Classification |
| | | | |
| DOCG | DOC | IGT | VDT |
| | | | |
| Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita | Denominazione di Origine Controllata | Indicazione Geografica Tipica | Vino da Tavola |
| | | |
| Certification of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin | Certification of Controlled Origin | Typical Geographic Indication | Table Wine |
| About 41 DOCGs | About 350 DOCs | About 130 IGTs | |
| DOCG sets rules | DOC sets rules | | |
| Has a pink (red) or green (white) seal around neck of bottle with DOCG | Has a seal around neck of bottle identifying as DOC | Seal around neck of bottle identifying as IGT | VDT on Label |
| DOCG spelled out on main label | DOC spelled out on main label | IGT spelled out on Label | VDT spelled out on Label |
| Tasted and analyzed by a Gov't Committee | Not as strict as DOCG. | | |
| Controls on soil,area of production, grapes, yield, techniques,aging, alcohol content | Controls on soil,area of production, grapes, yield, techniques,aging, alcohol content | Some controls on area and grapes. Much room for experimentation. | No Serious controls |
| Usually the best wines, but no guarantee | | Some of the best wines emerge as IGTs | Some great bargains. Where many Super Tuscans started. |
| | | | |
Ragazzo
This section includes a table of the current DOCG wines by Region.
Included are all of the wine-producing areas which have achieved the distinguished DOCG designation, Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. The table is ordered by first, the wine-producing areas of our top three wine regions, Piemonte, Toscano, and Veneto, and then alphabetical.
We will add later some of those which are designated as DOCs, Denominazione di Origine Controllata and IGTs, Indicazione Geografica Tipica.
Italy's DOCG Wines
| | | |
| Region (number DOCGs) | DOCG Wine Producing Area | DOCG Sub Area | Type of Wine |
| | | | |
| Piedmont (12) | Asti Spumanti | | Bianco, Spumante |
| | Barbera di Asti | | Rosso |
| | Barbera del Monferrato Superiore | | Rosso |
| | Barbaresco | | Rosso |
| | Barolo | | Rosso |
| | Brachetto d Acqui | | Rosso |
| | Gattinara | | Rosso |
| | Gavi or Cortese di Gavi | | Bianco |
| | Ghemme | | Rosso |
| | Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore | | Rosso |
| | Roero | | Bianco |
| | Dolcetta di Ovada | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Tuscany (7 ) | Brunello di Montalcino | | Rosso |
| | Carmignano Rosso | | Rosso |
| | Chianti | Chianti Superiore | Rosso |
| | | Colli Aretini | Rosso |
| | | Colli Senesi | Rosso |
| | | Colli Fiorentini | Rosso |
| | | Colline Pisane | Rosso |
| | | Montalbano | Rosso |
| | | Montespertoli | Rosso |
| | | Rufina | Rosso |
| | Chianti Classico | | Rosso |
| | | | Rosso |
| | Morellino di Scansano | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| | Vernaccia di San Gimignano | | Bianco |
| | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | | Rosso |
| | | | Rosso |
| Veneto (4) | Bardolino Superiore | | Rosso |
| | Recioto di Gambellara | | Rosso |
| | Recioto di Soave | | Bianco |
| | Soave Superiore | | Bianco |
| | | | |
| Abruzzo (1) | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| Campania (3) | Fiano di Avellino | | Bianco |
| | Greco di Tufo | | Bianco |
| | Taurasi | | |
| Emilia-Romagna (1) | Albana di Romagna | | Bianco |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia (2) | Ramandolo | | Bianco |
| | Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit | | Passito |
| | | | |
| Lazio (1) | Cesanese del Piglio | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| Lombardia (4) | Franciacorta | | Spumante |
| | Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico | | Rose |
| | Svorzato di Valtellina | | Rosso |
| | Valtellino Superiore | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| Marche (2) | Conero | | Rosso |
| | Vernaccia di Serrapetrona | | Rosso Dolce, Secco |
| | | | |
| Sardinia (1) | Vermentino di Gallura | | Bianco |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Sicilia (1) | Cerasuolo di Vittoria | | Rosso |
| | | | |
| Umbria (2) | Montefalco Sagrantino | | Rosso |
| | Torgiano Riserva | | Rosso |
More to come!
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