Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Definition - What does Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) mean?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata or DOC is the designation of a wine and/or food product given by the Italian government to ensure quality and authenticity. It is a system which was introduced in 1963 to protect both the producer and consumer.
Within the DOC system exists four rankings of quality. The highest being DOCG and the second DOC. This Denominazione di Origine Controllata ensures that the product, whether wine or food, was produced in said region and under traditional and quality restrictions.
When comparing DOC to other european regulatory systems, it is closest compared to the French Appellation d'origine controlee (AOC) designations.
WineFrog explains Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) system utilized to create a quality hierarchy of wine and food products (i.e. cured meats and cheeses), there are four levels. From highest ranking to lowest, they are as follows:
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) - In order for a wine or food to be labelled as such, it must meet the specific requirements that it is produced/grown in a specific region and under the traditional and/or defined methods which meet the quality standard of that region. In short, it notes a product from a specific area is either grown in that same area or produced according to the standards of that location.
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) - previously defined
Denominazione di Origine (DO) - DO is a label which is seldom used, however, it indicates a certain product which may come from a larger general area and is recognized for its quality and/or traditional methods by which it is made.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) - IGT was created much later following DOC and DOCG status. This is traditionally where all wines start in their quality designation hierarchy, with other regulations that follow, including time in present status as IGT (also respectively in DO and DOC status) until they can be ranked higher, assuming they pass certain requirements.
