Next to the name of the wine there is almost always an acronym: DO, DOCa, AOC, IGP, WO. They look like codes for insiders, but they say something simple: where the grapes come from and what rules the winery followed. Knowing how to read appellations gives you very useful clues before you buy.
What appellations of origin are
It is a delimited wine-growing area with its own regulations. These rules set things like the permitted grape varieties, the yield per hectare or the minimum ageing time. A wine can only carry the name of the area if it complies with the rules.
The most common acronyms
- DO (Denominación de Origen): the Spanish system. It is equivalent to the European PDO. Example: DO Rías Baixas, where albariño dominates.
- DOCa or DOQ: the highest category in Spain. Only Rioja and Priorat have it.
- AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée): the French system, also equivalent to the PDO. Example: AOC Bordeaux, famous for its cabernet and merlot blends.
- IGP (Protected Geographical Indication): a broader area with more flexible rules. In Spain it includes the Vinos de la Tierra, and in France, for example, the IGP Pays d’Oc.
- WO (Wine of Origin): the South African system, which certifies origin, variety and vintage, as in WO Stellenbosch.
- DOC and DOCG: the Italian equivalents. The G marks the higher category.
What it guarantees and what it doesn't
An appellation guarantees the origin and that a set of rules was followed. It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll like the wine. A wine without an appellation isn’t necessarily worse: it simply isn’t bound by the regulations of one area and may blend grapes from different places. Use it as a clue to style (climate, varieties, ageing), not as a quality score.
How to choose between appellations
Comença per les que ja t’han agradat i busca altres ampolles de la mateixa zona. Si t’ha agradat un blanc fresc de Rías Baixas, és probable que et sorprengui un altre albariño. Al catàleg pots veure la denominació de cada vi a la fitxa, i el sommelier virtual et proposa ampolles segons el que et ve de gust.
Frequently asked questions
Are DO and PDO the same thing?
Yes. PDO is the name used by the European Union and, in Spain, the system is called DO. In practice they mean the same.
Is a wine without an appellation lower in quality?
Not necessarily. It means it doesn’t follow the rules of a specific area, but it can still be very good. Appellations give clues, not guarantees of quality.
What does AOC mean?
It is the French acronym for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. It is equivalent to the PDO: a wine made in a delimited area under its own rules.
Does the appellation guarantee I'll like the wine?
No. It guarantees the origin and a set of production rules. To find out whether you’ll like it, check the tasting note of each wine in the catalogue or try the virtual sommelier.
Which are the highest appellations in Spain?
DOCa (or DOQ in Catalan) is the highest category. Only Rioja and Priorat have it.
