By what exactly are these two categories of wines distinguished? In fact, people often do not know the meaning and difference between these two terms.
DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Controlled Designation of Origin) and indicates wines made from grapes that come from a specific, well-defined area.
These wines, before being put on the market, must undergo a chemical-physical analysis and an organoleptic examination during the production phase to confirm the requirements set forth in the specifications; failure to meet the required parameters prevents their sale under the DOC label.
Since 2010, the DOC classification, like the DOCG classification, has been included in the EU PDO category.
DOCG, on the other hand, stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, a mark that identifies the geographical origin of a wine and can only be awarded to those wines of particular quality that have been classified as DOC for at least five years.
This designation is an added plus for the wine; it is synonymous with value, in fact, it leads to restrictions before the bottling stage and is not easy to obtain.
The wine, to be declared as such, must pass a strict chemical-organoleptic control and sensory analysis carried out by a committee of experts. Upon successful completion of these examinations, the highest quality certification is obtained. The wine must bear on the neck of the bottle a watermark seal produced by the State Polygraphic Institute. The seal is a symbol of excellence and a guarantee for the consumer. Still very few wines in Italy can boast such a mark.
How do we recognize it at the time of purchase?
TheDOCG label must necessarily include:
the name of the wine’s region of origin; the name or company name of the bottler plus an indication of the municipality, hamlet, and state of the head office; the volume (in liters, centiliters, or milliliters); the alcohol content; and the production lot that allows the vintage to be recognized (preceded by the letter L).
DOC or DOCG are important acronyms because they indicate added value in terms of quality and tell of the commitment and passion of winemakers.
Now that you know the meaning of these designations you can taste wine with greater awareness.