Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

"Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" (DOCG) was introduced as a higher category compared to the DOC. The addition of 'Garantita' should indicate an additional guarantee of the quality of the wine, which is not necessarily the case.

The added 'G' in the DOC designation means that the requirements for this wine type have been significantly tightened in terms of the use of grape varieties and their composition. In addition, harvest yields must be less per hectare and there are additional strict technical requirements for the acid content, the dry matter, etc.

In addition, the producers will have unannounced inspection visits from dispatched professional experts who control the yield and taste the wines.

The purpose of the 1963 wine law was that only absolute top wines could qualify for the highest distinction DOCG, but as mentioned, the reality shows something else.

For example, people have not stopped laughing since the Emilia Romagna region approved its somewhat anonymous white wine, Albana di Romagna, as DOCG. It is fair to say that the producers have since made great efforts to stop the laughter and people making fun of this appointment and the type is well on its way.

Fortunately, there are several major exceptions within DOCG, and they move toward the v other end of the scale. Let's just mention wines like Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, who were among the first in this classification, as well as Taurasi, Montefalco Sagrantino, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane and several others. All are very impressive wines that rival the best wines in the world.

In addition to the label, one can know a DOCG from a special sticker around the bottleneck. For the white wine, the sticker is green and for the red wine, the sticker is pink.