Austria Wine Classifications
I Love Touring Italy – Launching a Series
U.S. Tour Operators Association's annual survey shows that Italy is the destination of the world's top vacation. This country really has something for everyone. Italy attractions include secular and religious sites spanning centuries or millennia, isolated towns and dynamic cities, resorts, beaches, and world-class fashion. And she loves fine cuisine and unique wine, which wines. Italy has an unmatched selection of local varieties. If you prefer international grape varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, will not be disappointed.
Are you aware that Italy is divided into twenty regions? Every one is different, and worth visiting. Some, like the Piedmont are world famous. Others, like Bascilicata are rarely visited by foreigners, or even by the Italians themselves.
Italy can be divided into three main sections: Northern Italy, sharing a border with four European countries (France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia) central Italy, and the South, traditionally the poorest part of Italy.
Northern Italy is composed of eight regions: The Aosta Valley, Piedmont (whose capital is Turin), Lombardy (whose capital is Milan), Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto (whose capital is Venice), Emilia-Romagna and Liguria (whose capital is Genoa). Central Italy is composed of six regions: Tuscany (whose capital is Florence), Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Lazio and (whose capital is Rome). Southern Italy is composed of six regions: Apulia, Campania (whose capital is Naples), Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily (whose capital is Palermo) and Sardinia.
Each article will present a region and several tourist attractions. We love Italian wine and food (as expressed in our series I Love Italian Wine Food), so we will present wines and foods of special interest.
Because we will be discussing wines, we a brief look at Italian Wine Classifications. These ratings will also be very useful if you are an armchair tourist and want to enjoy Italian wine at home or on favorite restaurant. Rating Wine and Food. In 1963 Italy legally defined four wine classifications that presumably help consumers choose their wine. While most wine producing countries have established official wine classifications, arguably the Italian system is the most controversial, possibly the most consumed, and probably the most ignored by the producers of wine. Where to learn a little about them anyway? We think so.
Vino da Tavola VDT means, translated as table wine. Table wines can be made from any grape, or a mixture of grapes, anywhere in Italy. In general, are quite common, and in Italy are often directly from the barrel. And yet on occasion VDT wines are excellent and priced accordingly.
IGT means Indication Geografica Tipica, which may be translated as Typical Geographic Indication, in other words a wine that characterizes its specific location. This classification determined the geography of wine, but says nothing about its composition and production method. As for the previous category, sometimes IGT wines are excellent.
DOC means Controlled Appellation of Origin, which can be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin. Every region has at least one DOC wine, but some have dozens. A given DOC defines the grapes or grape varieties permitted as well as numerous details about the grape growing and Wine Making process. Approximately one fifth of Italian wine is classified DOC or better. Indeed, this fact should be noted that a DOC on the label is no guarantee of quality.
DOCG stands for the name e Guarantita Controlled Origin, which can be translated as Denomination of origin and guaranteed. Please realize that this letter G on the label is no guarantee quality. But you can expect to pay more for a DOCG wine that DOC less prestigious cousin.
Unlike most countries, Italy has taken the bother to make a comprehensive classification system for food, all kinds of foods, including olive oil, cheese, and even fruit. Look for the term name d Protected Origin ', abbreviated as DOP, which can be translated as Denomination of Origin. You will have to decide for yourself whether it's worth paying a little an orange to buy more licenses.
Have you had enough of generalities? It's time to move on to the specific Italian regions.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored alone or with a co-author ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would really rather just drink fine French, German, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His global wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com and his Italian wine website is www.theitalianwineconnection.com .