Decoding the Wine Alphabet Soup: A Guide to AOC, DOC, DOCG, and More!
Today, we're going to dive into the world of wine classifications and navigate the acronyms that represent the "Denominations of Origin." From AOC to DOC, DOCG, and beyond these designations can often seem like cryptic codes. But fear not! By the end of this post, you'll be reading wine labels like a sommelier and impressing your friends with your savvy shopping skills. So, buckle up, and let's decode this wine alphabet soup together!
Demystifying Denominations of Origin
Firstly, let's tackle the term "Denomination of Origin". A “DO” is essentially a certification that a product (in our case, wine, but there are DOs for other products too, like cheese) originates from a specific geographical region and possesses qualities or characteristics unique to that region. It's like a seal of authenticity and quality control, assuring that the wine in your bottle adheres to certain production requirements and standards.
However, it's crucial to note that a denomination of origin can represent a specific grape or blend, but not always. Some regions are indeed famous for a single grape, like Nebbiolo in Barolo DOCG, Italy. But often, a denomination can include several grape varieties or specific blends that reflect the tradition and terroir of the area, such as the GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) in the Côtes du Rhône AOC, France.
DOs can also have requirements for elements of the winemaking process, such as a specific amount of time the wine has to be aged in a certain type of oak. We won’t sugarcoat it, none of this is on the bottle; the only way to know what a certain DO means is to look it up (which is why Raravina and our somm team are here!).
A Class on Classifications
The classifications and their abbreviations vary from country to country, reflecting different systems and standards. Making things even more complex is that within each country there are different tiers of DOs, (generally) indicating different levels of quality (and, in turn, price). While there’s enough variety for a book, here's a brief overview of some of the most well-known DOs:
France: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is the top tier, ensuring strict regulations on grape variety, yield, viticulture, and winemaking methods. Below AOC, there's Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) and then Vin de France.
Italy: The top rank is Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), which has the strictest regulations. Below that, there's Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT).
Spain: The highest classification is Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) (or Denominació d'Origen Qualificada (DOQ) in Catalonia). Following this, there 's Denominación de Origen (DO) and Vino de la Tierra (VT).
Why Should You Care?
So, why should these denominations matter to you, the wine shopper? In a word: trust. In a few more, as you learn what a DO means, it actually can be a very useful shorthand to tell you a lot about a wine! When you see one of these labels, you know that the wine you're considering follows certain techniques and standards. It's a guarantee that the wine reflects its region's character and tradition.
However, remember that these classifications should not be your sole guiding principle. While a DOCG or AOC status often indicates a quality product, world-class wines are also produced outside these classifications (think of a top-tier winemaker in Barolo that wants to use a grape other than Nebbiolo - it won’t be able to be labelled a “Barolo”, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be outstanding). Therefore, use these labels as part of your wine selection process, not the be-all and end-all.
You're now equipped to navigate wine buying with more confidence. Remember, the journey through the world of wine is one of continuous discovery. Even if the sea of acronyms on wine labels seems daunting at first, don't be deterred! Thankfully, the main key to learning about DOs is to drink more wine. Truly, the best kind of studying.
Curious, find a selection of wines with DOs here
Stay Nosey!
