Italy + Italian Wine Law Flashcards
Which country’s appellation system was used as a model by the Italian Authorities?
France’s AOC system served as a model for the Italian authorities
What does DOC stand for?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
What do the French AOC and Italian DOC have in common?
Both the AOC and DOC::
establish maximum yields
set approved varieties and viticultural practices
demarcate authorized vilification techniques and styles
set minimum or maximum alcohol levels
What is the DOCs most notable departure from France’s AOC system?
For DOCG and some DOC wines, a minimum period of aging is set.
What does DOCG stand for?
DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
When did Italy unveil the DOC/DOCG system?
1963
When was Italy’s first DOCG awarded?
1980
What were the first regions in Italy to achieve DOCG status? In what year?
The first three DOCs to be upgraded to DOCG status were:
Brunello di Montalcino
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Barolo
All were upgraded in 1980
What is the governing document for DOC and DOCG wines
“Disciplinare di Produzione” is the governing document of DOC and DOCG wines
What does the governing document of the DOC and DOCG regular?
The Disciplinare di Produzione regulates:
geographic origin accepted grape varietals styles of wine maximum yields minimum planting density minimum alcohol levels etc
How do regulations governing DOC and DOG wines differ?
DOCG wines are subject to tighter restrictions on:
elevation rance
minimum levels of dry extract
maximum yields [defined by tons of fruit per hectare as well as hectoliters per hectare of wine]
Red DOCG wines are typically subject to high aging requirements
Bitter Finish and Garnet Color are often required
All wines seeking DOCG status must be submitted to a tasting panel and show typical qualities of grape and region
How long must a DOC be recognized before it can apply for DOCG status
A DOC must be recognized for a minimum of 5 years prior to applying for DOCG status
What are the additional requirements for a DOC/DOCG wine to be labeled a “Reserva”?
For both DOC and DOCG wines:
additional minimum aging requirements
heightened levels of potential alcohol
reduced maximum yields
Reserva qualifications are defined by each appellation’s Disciplinaire di Produzione
True or False:
To achieve DOCG status, a wine must be submitted to a tasting panel where it must show typical qualities of grape, style, and region.
True!
When an Italian wine achieves DOCG status, how is it indicated on the bottle?
If accepted, the wine is wrapped with a neck band.
For RED WINES, this band is colored PINK
For WHITE WINES, this band is colored YELLWO-GREEN
What were some of the complaints levied against the original expression of the Italian DOC/DOCG system?
The DOC/DOCG was mocked for its inability to ‘guarantee’ anything, especially quality. Some of the main complaints were:
Overly generous geographic delimitation
overly broad ranges of accepted styles
overly large number of appellations
True or False:
Most of the DOC/DOCG borders have remained consistent with their original growing zones
False. Many of the original DOC and DOCG zones have been expanded well beyond their original delimitations.
How did Italian authorities respond to the complaint of expanded DOC/DOCG borders beyond original growing zones?
In response, Classico Zones were created. Theoretically, these borders are restricted to a regions historical heartland.
How was the DOC/DOCG system viewed in the 1960-1980s?
Italians views the system as too rigid and inflexible. Many resorted to releasing their wines as lowly Vino di Tavola to skirt strict regulations over winemaking style, grape varietal, etc.
What is the more common name for Law 164 in Italy?
Gloria’s Law
Why was Law 164 enacted in Italy?
Law 164 – Gloria’s Law – was an attempt to restore integrity to their failing DOC/DOCG system
What changed in Italian wine law with the passing of Gloria’s Law?
Gloria’s Law, which passed in 1992, overhauled existing regulations and created a much needed additional tier of wine – Indicazione Geografica Tipica [IGT]
When did Law 164 pass in Italy
1992
What does IGT stand for?
Indicazione Geografica Tipica
How does and IGT differ from a DOC?
And IGT offers wineries much greater freedom than DOC and DOCGs. Geographic regions are often much larger than those defined by appellations. Some IGTs limited production to certain provinces while others cover an entire region.
When did the first IGTs appear on Italian wine labels?
1994
Currently, how many tiers are in the Italian appellation hierarchy? What are they?
There are 4 tiers::
Vino [formerly Vino da Tavola]
IGT [Indicazione Geografica Tipica]
DOC [Denominazione di Origine Controllata]
DOCG [Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita]
What is an IGT considered within the wine scheme of the EU?
An IGT is considered a PGI
What is a DOC considered within the wine scheme of the EU?
DOCs are considered PDO
What is a DOCG considered within the wine scheme of the EU?
DOCGs are considered PDO
What does DOP stand for? What does it correlate to?
DOP stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta. The EU wine scheme doesn’t differentiate between DOC and DOCG wines as they are both Protected Designations of Origin.
What does PDO stand for?
Protected Designation of Origin
What does PGI stand for?
Protected Geographical Indication
What does IGP stand for? What does it correlate to?
IGP stands for Indicazione Geografica Protetta and correlates to IGT
True or False:
IGT wines are often varietally labeled.
True
What is Italy’s highest altitude and least populated wine region?
Valle d’Aosta
What is the largest region of Italy?
Lombardy
