Wine from Italy | Wine Growing Countries

Amarone aroma-rich Italian wine made from dried berries
Azienda Agricola    Italian name for a winery that produces wine exclusively from its own grapes
Classico  Exactly defined geographical zones in Italy from which the grapes with this additional designation must come
DOCG  Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita The highest class represents a „Üb class“ of the DOC. (Albana die Romagna, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brachetto d’Aqui, Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Franciacorta, Gatti-nara, Gheme, Montefalco Sagrantino, Asti / Asti Spumante, Moscato d’ Asti, Recioto di Soave, Taurasi, Torgiano Rosso Riserva, Valtellina Superiore, Vermentino di Gallura, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano).
DOC  Denominazione di Origine Controllata The lowest class regulates yield, permitted grape varieties, winemaking, storage and geographical origin. As in France, quality is only indirectly regulated. 220 areas with DOC class produce more than 800 different wines.
Frizzante    Italian sparkling wine
IGT    Indicazioni Geografiche Tipiche Since 1992, a new class between DOC and Vino da Tavola. The wines may originate from a larger geographical demarcation than DOC wines, but must meet higher quality requirements than Vini da Tavola.
Novello  Italian wines that come onto the market shortly after the harvest (like Primeur in France)
Passito  Italian speciality, wines made from dried grapes (e.g. Amarone). Amarone)
PH value    Measure for the acidity of a wine, the lower the PH value, the more acidic the wine tastes
Phylloxera    Vine aphid, the most fec; Phylloxera, the most dangerous feeder of the vine, which fills the roots
Polyphenols/Phenols    chemical building block in wine, located in the colour pigments, tannins and flavours; it is said to have a positive influence on the body; Riserva
Riserva    Italian quality level, red wine must be stored for at least 2-4 years, of which up to 12 months in the barrel
Tenuta  Italian term for vineyard wine
Vin Santo    Dessert wine in Tuscany, made from dried grapes
Vino da Tavola    Table wine. The lowest class for the simplest wines, but also for wines produced from grapes that are not authorised by the local authorities. Some of the leading and most expensive of these wines (e.g. Tignanello) have Cabernet Sauvignon as their main grape variety. If this variety is not permitted in the local DOC class, the wine automatically becomes a Vino da Tavola.