Italian Wine

Understanding Wine Quality

The EU framework categorizes wine based on a classification system that is broken down into three broad categories.

Protected Designated Origin(PDO)

This designation refers to a wine that has unique characteristics exclusively due to it's geographical environment along with natural and human factors. All grapes and production activities originate from the specific area. There is even a list of qualified denominations. This wine is known to have the highest restrictions; therefore, it also has the highest value in the classification system.

Protected Geographical Indication(PDI)

This designation still refers to a specific region where production takes place, but differs from PDO quality in that a minimum of 85% of the grapes must come from the designated region. This is considered the middle tier of the classification system.

Vino

These wines are considered the lowest value due to having no geographical restrictions or production rules.