The classification of Italian wines

Quality label for Italian wines


Italian wines are assessed and classified based on required legislation in both Italy and Europe. The classification system is for red wines, white wines and sparkling wines.


Each wine-growing region in Italy is assigned a quality level. This assessment is based on, among other things, historical significance and the strict guidelines that apply to growing the grapes and making a certain wine.


The Italian quality system has 4 different groups. From high to low these are:



Italian DOCG wines


At the top of the quality ladder of Italian wines are the DOCG wines. The abbreviation DOCG stands for Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garantita. There are currently 76 DOCG wines in Italy. New wines are not often added to this exclusive list with the DOCG quality label, which can be recognized by the seal on the bottle.


These seals can differ in appearance if you buy a wine in Italy or if it has been purchased abroad via export.


View the complete list of all 76 Italian DOCG wines.

Italian DOC wines


After the DOCG wines come the DOC wines, sometimes also called DOP. The second quality level in Italy. The list of Italian DOC wines currently contains 332 different wines. DOC stands for Denominazione d'Origine Controllata.


View the complete list of all 332 Italian DOC wines.


Italian IGP / IGT wines


The quality level below DOCG and DOC imposes less strict requirements on the production of the wine. The producers have more freedom in producing wines that are marketed without one of the two highest quality marks. The name of this group of wines is IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), or sometimes named IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta). There are 118 Italian IGP wines.


A quality label of IGP/IGT does not always mean that the quality is less than DOCG or DOC. There are exceptions of winemakers who prefer to forgo the DOG and DOC rules. These winemakers prefer to make wines that are made using other techniques or that use certain grape varieties that are not included in the regulations to belong to a certain quality mark.


There are quite a few wines of exceptional quality, without having the DOCG or DOC label.


And what is quality?


Ultimately, you always decide that yourself. Your taste is unique and only you can say whether you find a certain wine delicious.


With or without the DOCG or DOC quality mark.