A question we are often asked here at Ricco is 'What does VDT/IGT/DOC/DOCG mean?'.
One of these four acronyms will be found on the label of every quality bottle of Italian wine, but perhaps understandably their significance is often not understood.
Put simply, these four marks are the Quality Designation - part of a series of laws introduced in the last 50 years to regulate and safeguard the quality of Italy's wine and can be described as follows.
VDT or Vino Da Tavola.
The least strict of all the designations and lowest category of wine which can be produced. Categorised as a table wine, these have no specific geographic origin and can contain (almost) whatever the producer wishes to use. They are forbidden by law to display either their grape variety or a vintage. The quality of a VDT wine varies enormously; from very poor to excellent - some very good winemakers will use the more relaxed VDT rules to make wonderful, interesting wines from unusual blends which could not be classified under the other designations. In the UK, you will sometimes find VDT's used as restaurant house wines and served by the carafe.
IGT or Indicazione Geographica Tipica (typical geographical indication).
Introduced in 1992 this denotes a higher quality of table wine and IGT's are subject to greater control than VDT's. Grapes used in an IGT wine must be grown within a specific area, but producers are not subject to rules regarding processes such as ageing or bottle ageing. The focus of an IGT wine is more on where it was made, rather than the grapes used or style created. As with VDT, quality can vary but it does allow for the creation of some very interesting wines. Here at Ricco we stock a number of IGT wines of excellent quality such Piergiovanni Giusti's "L'Intruso IGT" produced from 4 grape varieties. Prior to 1992 this wine would have to have been labelled a VDT - a classification that would perhaps not do credit to a winemaker of Piergiovanni's professionalism and standing.
DOC or Denominazione di Origine Controllata (controlled designation of origin).
DOC is the quality designation for the majority of Italian wine. It indicates that the wine has been produced in a specific region, from specific grapes and in a specific style. Amongst other regulations, producers must (by law) keep the grapes used for creating DOC wines separate from other grapes when recording in the official cellar registers. Since its introduction in 1963, the DOC classification has done a great deal to increase the overall quality of Italian wine since standards of production are theoretically controlled by law.
DOCG or Denominazione di Origine Controlla e Garantita (controlled designation of origin guaranteed).
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| Our 'Camilla' Barolo. A DOCG wine, complete with its strip of official guarantee. |
The highest level of quality designation, for a wine to be labelled DOCG it must meet all of the conditions of a DOC wine and more still. Yeald is controlled and a tasting commission must sample and approve each batch of wine before its DOCG is granted. Every bottle must also display an official strip or guarantee which is only released upon approval of the tasting committee. The most famous DOCG wines include Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino.
The above is meant only as a beginners guide to the basic principles of the Quality Assurance system. The important thing to remember is that buying a bottle of wine from the supermarket stamped DOC or DOCG does not guarantee you an enjoyable or well made bottle of wine, just a regulated one.
It is here that a wine merchant like Ricco is key - we source quality wines direct from the supplier. We know the people who make the wines, we visit their cantinas and we actively search for the best quality wine at the best possible price. We know what goes in their wine and (equally as important) what does not go in their wine.
