Wine Classifications: Understanding Labels from France, Italy, Spain & Beyond

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Understanding Wine Classifications

We could write a whole article on the wine classification system in France, or the appellation system, but let’s try and keep it simple.

Vin de France - This is the most basic level, and grapes for these wines can come from across France. Don’t rule these out though! Winemakers are allowed the most creative freedom with wines in this category and they’re often the most affordable.

Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) - A regional designation, so the grapes for these wines come from a particular region. For example, IGP Pays d’Oc wines come from grapes from right across the Languedoc.

Appellation d'origine contrôlée/Protégée (AOC/AOP) - These wines are subject to strict regulations. Not only do the grapes have to come from a specific region, but each AOC has a set of rules that dictate what grape varieties can be used, alcohol levels, yields and more.

The AOC hierarchy

To make it slightly more complicated, the French have a tiered system at AOC level.

1. You start with regional AOCs eg. Bordeaux, Burgundy

2. Next come sub-regional AOCs like Médoc, Mâcon

3. Step up again to village/commune AOCs like Pauillac or Puligny-Montrachet

4. At the top of the table are the ‘Crus’ or vineyard AOCs eg. Montrachet Grand Cru.

But France being France, the classification systems doesn’t always stop there. In Bordeaux, look for classifications like Grand Cru Classé, Cru Bourgeois, and Crus Artisans to find top quality producers.

What’s the difference between AOC and AOP?

Sometimes you might see AOP on the label instead of AOC. It’s simply that Appellation d’origine protégée (AOP) is a European term, while AOC is the French one.

French winemakers can use either term, but they both mean the same.

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Other wine classification systems used in Europe are similar to the French model, so once you’ve got your head around France, the rest are easy!

Vino da Tavola (VdT) or “table wine” can come from any grapes across Italy.

Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) is used for wines that don’t meet the criteria for DOC or DOCG wines. For example, Super Tuscans that use a high proportion of international grapes not allowed in Chianti, are labelled IGT Toscana.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) is based on geographical areas and the wines must be made following strict rules, similar to the French AOC wines. Examples include Soave DOC and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) usually represents the highest quality level in Italy and includes Chianti Classico DOCG and Barolo DOCG.

You will also sometimes see Riserva on an Italian wine label. Riserva wines have a longer ageing period and it varies from one region to another.

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In Spain, the wine classification system is slightly different again:

Vino de España - Wines are made from grapes from any region across Spain.

Indicación Geografica Protegida (IGP) - These wines don’t have to adhere to the strict regulations of DOP wines and the geographical areas they cover tend to be much wider. The wines are labelled with the VT (Vino de la Tierra) they come from. For example, VT Castilla y León.

Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) - Ensures stringent quality regulations are followed and every stage of production must happen within the region. Within this there are four subcategories:

Vino de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VC) is effectively a stepping stone to becoming a DO. A region must spend a minimum of 5 years as a VC before applying to become a DO.
Denominación de Origen (DO) is the most widely used. Most of Spain’s wine regions are DOs, from Rías Baixas DO to Valencia DO.
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) is reserved for regions with particularly stringent quality controls. At the moment, there are just two: Rioja DOCa and Priorat DOCa (or Priorat DOQ in Catalan)
Vino de Pago (VP) is a new category for single estates with a high reputation. There are currently only a small number of estates with VP status.

Ageing terms in Spain

In Spain, arguably more importance is given to the ageing classification system. These rules can vary from one region to another but in Rioja, it looks like this:

Joven: wines that have had no or minimal oak ageing.
Crianza: wines must spend at least one year in oak barrel and one year in bottle before release.
Reserva: wines spend a minimum of one year in oak barrel and two in bottle. These often have the potential to age even further.
Gran Reserva: wines spend at least two years in barrel and three in bottle. These are only made in the best vintages and from the finest grapes.

It’s worth noting that some producers are moving away from using these terms and instead focusing on single vineyards or varieties rather than ageing. In other words, a Spanish wine or Rioja can still be great, even if these ageing terms are not mentioned on the label.

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Often considered the most complex wine classification system, Germany categorises its wines according to geographical areas, like France, Spain and Italy.

But in addition, the wines are classified according to the ripeness levels of the grapes and sometimes the grade/quality of the specific vineyard.

Deutscher Wein – These come from grapes across Germany and are rarely seen in the UK.

Deutscher Landwein – These wines must come from one of Germany’s designated wine regions and contain less than 18g of sugar per litre.

Qualitätswein – These not only come from specific wine regions but must follow regional regulations, including the ripeness of the grapes. Qualitätswein wines are usually labelled with their sweetness level eg. Trocken (dry) or Halbtrocken (off-dry).

Grosse Gewächs (GG) – A term that can only be used by members of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), a group that represents Germany’s top producers. GG’s are always dry, from the producers ‘Grand Cru’ Grosse Lage vineyards and usually made from Riesling.

Prädikatswein – This is the highest quality category for German wines and within this classification.

The Prädikatswein Sweetness Scale

There are subcategories within the Prädikatswein system that indicate the ripeness and quality levels of the grapes at harvest. It is important to know that none of these wines have been sweetened, the sweetness comes entirely from the ripeness of the grapes. ·

Kabinett: Light in style and range from dry to medium

Spätlese: Means ‘late harvest’ and these are usually medium-sweet unless labelled

Trocken Auslese: Means ‘select harvest’ and are sweeter again

Beerenauslese: Means ‘berry select harvest’ and are usually from grapes left on the vine to shrivel from noble rot – like Sauternes in France. Very sweet.

Trockenbeerenauslese: Rich, sweet dessert wines made from select, overripe, precious grapes.

Eiswein: Made from grapes that have been picked while frozen on the vine, these are very sweet.

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