When it comes to wine, appellations are not just bureaucratic acronyms.
DOC, DOCG and IGT tell a precise story: one of a territory, a grape variety and a way of producing wine that is officially recognised, regulated and protected.
For those who make wine seriously – and for those who drink it with curiosity – understanding appellations means understanding what’s really inside the bottle.
What are wine appellations?
Appellations are official certifications assigned to wines that meet specific requirements related to geographical origin and production methods.
In Italia, le principali denominazioni di qualità sono tre:
IGT – Typical Geographical Indication
IGT identifies wines linked to a relatively broad geographical area and characterised by more flexible production rules.
Generally, at least 85% of the grapes must come from the indicated area, but producers are given greater freedom in grape varieties, winemaking techniques and overall style.
This appellation is often used for innovative wines or wines that fall outside traditional regulations, and it represents the first tier above simple table wine.
DOC – Controlled Designation of Origin
DOC certifies that a wine comes from a clearly defined geographical area and complies with a strict production code, known as the production regulations.
These rules specify permitted grape varieties, maximum yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels, authorised winemaking practices and ageing requirements.
Compared to IGT, DOC ensures a stronger connection to the territory and a higher level of control and recognisability. Often, an area must be classified as IGT for several years before becoming DOC.
DOCG – Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin
DOCG is the highest level in the Italian appellation system.
It applies only to wines that have already been DOC for many years and are recognised for their exceptional quality and typicity.
DOCG wines are subject to even stricter controls, including chemical and sensory analyses, and may carry a State seal on the neck of the bottle.
In short, the higher the appellation, the stricter the rules and the tighter the link to the territory.
The central role of the production regulations
Every appellation exists because it is defined by official production regulations.
This technical document establishes, among other things:
- the geographical production area
- permitted grape varieties and their percentages
- maximum yields per hectare
- grado alcolico minimo
- minimum alcohol content
- ageing times and methods
- chemical and sensory characteristics of the wine
In practice, the regulations set the rules of the game, ensuring that a wine bearing a specific appellation is coherent, recognisable and faithful to its territorial identity.
Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC: identity and character
A concrete example of how an appellation works is Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC, a historic Piedmontese wine and the soul of our Curioso.
Grignolino is a distinctive grape variety:
tannic, bright in colour, direct in character.
Because of this strong personality, the production regulations play a key role in preserving its authentic style, preventing interpretations that would distort its identity.
Official production regulations:
Key points of the Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC regulations
In summary, the regulations establish that:
- Grape variety: Grignolino (generally in purity or with minimal tolerances)
- Production area: clearly defined municipalities within the Monferrato Casalese
- Yield per hectare: limited, to preserve concentration and quality
- Minimum alcohol level: set to ensure balance and structure
- Wine style: dry, fresh, with evident tannins and a delicate aromatic profile
This means that Curioso is not “just any Grignolino”, but a wine that respects a codified tradition, while still allowing room for the producer’s interpretation within the rules.
What wine appellations are really for
Appellations serve three fundamental purposes:
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1. Protecting the territory
They safeguard the name of a region and prevent it from being used improperly by producers working elsewhere.
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2. Offering guarantees to consumers
Anyone purchasing a Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC knows what to expect in terms of origin, style and minimum quality standards.
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3. Enhancing the producer’s work
Respecting production regulations means accepting limits and controls, but also becoming part of a recognition system that adds value to the wine over time.
Who checks that a wine complies with its appellation?
Compliance with an appellation is not self-certified by the producer.
Checks are carried out by authorised control bodies, under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. These bodies verify:
- vineyards and declared surfaces
- production quantities
- analytical parameters of the wine
- sensory conformity, where required
Only after passing these controls can a wine officially display its appellation on the label.
Conclusion
Wine appellations are not a marketing badge, but a pact of trust between producer and consumer.
In the case of Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC, this pact protects a unique grape variety and a territory that deserves to be told with precision, not oversimplified.
Our Curioso is born from exactly this approach:
respect for the rules, deep knowledge of the regulations, and the desire to interpret a great, identity-driven wine with personality and sincerity.