DOCG

DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita and is the top tier of the Italian classification system for wine. The system was established in 1963 with DOC as its cornerstone and was later expanded, among other things through the 1992 reform, which also introduced the IGT category. DOCG sits one step above DOC and is reserved for defined areas that have demonstrated consistent quality over many years and built a recognised reputation both in Italy and abroad. In practice, an area must already have been a DOC for a longer period before it can move up to DOCG.

For you as a drinker, DOCG is first and foremost an indication of origin and control, not a guarantee of your personal taste. The label tells you that the wine comes from a particular place and is made according to set rules covering, among other things, grapes and cultivation. That makes it easier to know what you are dealing with when you choose from the shelf or read a label.

You can typically spot DOCG by the name on the label, often tied to a place name such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. A common misconception is that DOCG always means better wine than IGT. Some skilled producers deliberately choose IGT to give themselves freer rein, so feel free to judge the wine by its area, producer and style rather than the letters alone.