What are the regulatory classifications for Italian wines?
Each European country has specific rules and regulations governing all aspects of wine production. In Italy, they’re called Denominations of Origin laws – the government established them in 1963 to control wine quality. The denominations are granted on the basis of the exact production area, the specific grape varietals used, the viticultural and bottling techniques, and a public tasting [source: Regione Lombardia]. Italian wine falls into one of four classifications: • Vino da Tavola (VDT) wines, or “table wines” have to follow only very loose guidelines. • Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) wines are made from approved grapes in certain regions. • Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines must have an “appellation of origin” label and follow stricter rules about grape variety, alcohol content and aging. There are abou
