Wine Law

Question 1

Italian Wine Law and Classification

Answer 1

Vino- Wines without geographic indication

IGP- Indicazione Geografica Protetta
includes IGT- Indiaczione Geografica Tipica

DOP- Denominazione di Origine Protetta
Includes DOC and DOCG

Question 2

First 5 DOCG

Answer 2

Barolo
Barbaresco
Chianti Classico
Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 
Brunello di Montalcino

Question 3

DOC/DOCG

Answer 3

Denominazione de Origine Controllata e Garantita (best)

Denominazione de Origine Controllata

Question 4

Italian Label “Classico”

Answer 4

Traditional, Theoretical superior, vineyard area within DOC(G)

Original region within the DOC(G)

Question 5

Italian Label “Reserva”

Answer 5

Reserve. Extended again

Can denote lower yields and higher alcohol depending on appellation

Question 6

Italian Label “Superiore”

Answer 6

Higher level alcohol or aging depending on appellation

Question 7

Italian Label “Vino Vecchio”

Answer 7

old or aged wine

Question 8

Italian Label “Spumante”

Answer 8

sparkling “foaming”

Question 9

Italian Label “Frizzante”

Answer 9

slightly sparkling

Question 10

Italian Label “Metodo Classico”

Answer 10

traditional method sparkling wines

Question 11

Italian Label “Secco”

Answer 11

dry

Question 12

Italian Label “Dolce”

Answer 12

sweet

Question 13

Italian Label “Recioto/Passito”

Answer 13

Wine made from dried grapes

Question 14

French INAO

Answer 14

Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité

government-based organization created to restore confidence in the country’s wine industry

Created AOC (Appellation d’origine Controlee) system in 1935 in response to widespread fraud in the wine industry

Question 15

AOC vs AOP

Answer 15

Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée

Appellation d’Origine Protegee (EU standardization)

Question 16

2 quality categories for AOP

Answer 16

(Appelation d’Origine Protegee)

Wines with geographic indication

Wines without geographic indication

(Many classic wine regions of the EU are still using their traditional wine label quality terminology along or in conjunction with the new AOP terminology)

Question 17

French Wine quality levels

Answer 17

Vine de France (basic table wine, no geographic indication)

IGP/vin de pays (85% of fruit must originate from stated geographic region, fewer restrictions than AOC/AOP)

AOC/AOP (best French wine, 100% of grapes from AOC/AOP)

Question 18

Some French AOC/AOP regulations

Answer 18

Boundaries precisely defined and regulated

grape/grape varieties planted are strictly regulated

Viticulture practices are regulated (what is planted and where, yield per hectare, type of vine training, irrigation, alcohol min/max)

Aging requirements

Risidual Sugar allowance

100% of grapes must come from stated AOC/AOP

Question 19

Austrian wine law

Answer 19

Landwein- regional table wine

Qualitatswein- (DAC) Districtus Austria controllatus (dry wines, only specific grapes and styles in regions)

Pradikatswein- Sweet wines

85% grape, 85% vintage, 100% region