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Some words about quality.

The classification of Italian wines, in the past ten years, has developed a pyramidal configuration, characterised by three factors of major significance:
A) origin;
B) intrinsic quality; natural, in that it is derived from the viticultural ecosystem, and acquired, in that it is due to human and technological factors;
C) genuineness or purity, assured by chemical and organoleptic controls.


Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita D.O.C.G.
Represented by the geographical name of a delimited production area with the strictest limitation of areas and yields per hectare. Awarded to wines of outstanding reputation with a D.O.C. of at least five years.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata D.O.C.
Represented by the geographical name of a delimited production area with strictly limited maximum yields per hectare.


Indicazione Geografica Tipica I.G.T.
Represented by the geographical name used in denominating vini da tavola and corresponding to a zone of major vinicultural dimensions such as a region, a province, a borough or a river valley.

Vini da Tavola V.d.T.
Represented by wines without specific origin. On their labels the grape variety, year and name of the area of production, can be omitted.

Superiore (additional classification)
The Italian word for "superior." On an Italian wine label, superiore indicates a doc wine that has a slightly higher alcoholic strength and, sometimes, longer aging capabilities than other DOC wines. The higher alcohol content is due to riper grapes, which results in a fuller flavored and, therefore, superior wine.

Riserva (additional classification)
Italian for "reserve," which in the wine world can be applied only to doc or docg wines that have been aged longer than regular wines. The better wines are usually chosen to become riservas. The total aging time varies from wine to wine. For instance, Chianti Riserva receives 3 years aging, Barbaresco Riserva gets 4 years, and Barolo and Brunello di montalcino Riservas each get 5 years of aging. Sometimes, but not always, part of the additional aging time occurs in wood. Riserva speciale denotes even longer aging, usually an additional year.