Classification of wine: the quality pyramid and the excellence of Tenute del Cerro

In Italy, wine is not only a product of excellence but also a cultural heritage that reflects the history, traditions, and unique characteristics of a specific region or territory. To protect its authenticity and help consumers navigate the wide range of choices, the country has developed an official classification system. The labels IGT, DOC, and DOCG — which you’ve surely seen on bottles — represent three different levels of quality and connection to the land.
But what are the differences? Understanding the meaning of these designations and the wine classification system is the first step toward navigating the vast selection of wines and fully appreciating the richness of Italy’s winemaking tradition.

The classification of wine: the quality pyramid

The classification of wine was created to ensure transparency and quality, protecting both producers and consumers. Each denomination defines a different balance between creative freedom, compliance with regulations, and connection to the territory, thus forming a true “quality pyramid”, where quality and production rigor increase as one moves upward.
In particular, the classification of Italian wines has undergone significant changes since 2008, with the introduction of EU Regulation No. 479/2008, aimed at simplifying and harmonizing designations of origin to align them with European standards.

The Italian wine quality pyramid is structured as follows:

• At the base are the so-called Vini da Tavola (“table wines”), which have no geographical indication and are produced without specific production regulations. These may include blends of different grape varieties, provided they fall within the categories allowed for winemaking.


• Above them, moving progressively up the pyramid, are IGT, DOC, and DOCG wines — the official designations of origin that represent increasing levels of quality and territorial identity.

In the new European classification, Vini da Tavola are now referred to as Generic Wines, and a new category has emerged just above them on the pyramid: the so-called “varietal wines”.

Varietal Wines

Introduced by the 2008 European regulation, varietal wines stand out because they emphasize the grape variety rather than the geographical area. They are not tied to a designation of origin but, unlike generic wines, they come from a predominant grape variety, even if it is not strongly rooted in a specific territory.
On the label, therefore, you will find one or two grape names, along with the vintage year, but no reference to specific regions or territorial regulations. This type of wine represents a direct and straightforward choice, designed especially for international markets, where consumers more easily recognize a grape variety — such as Merlot or Chardonnay — than a geographical denomination.

The italian classification: differences Between IGT, DOC and DOCG

In Italy, the winemaking tradition has preserved its historical designations while aligning them with European classifications. Each of these labels represents a different level of connection to the territory, regulatory control, and quality. Let’s take a closer look at them.

IGT: what does it mean?

After table wines, we move to the second step of the quality pyramid, where we find the IGT designation, which stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica. These are wines originating from a specific, wide, and well-defined geographic area, but without overly strict rules. This allows producers the freedom to experiment and offer personal interpretations, combining local and international grape varieties.

After 2008, with alignment to European regulations, the IGT designation has been officially replaced by the IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta), considered the European “protected geographical indication”. However, the IGT label continues to be used on bottles for historical and marketing reasons.

DOC: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Controlled Designation of Origin)

At the third level of the Italian quality pyramid, we find DOC, a designation that marks entry into a more precise and regulated category. Since 2008, wines labeled Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) fall under the broader European category of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which guarantees and certifies both their quality and their connection to the territory. Each DOC wine must comply with a strict production protocol, specifying which grape varieties can be used, how they must be cultivated and vinified, the allowable yields, and even the minimum aging period before the wine can be marketed. This strengthens the link with the territory, making the wine a true expression of a recognized identity.

DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin)

At the top of the quality pyramid sits DOCG, representing the highest level, which also falls under the European legislative framework of DOP (Protected Designation of Origin). Here, the connection to the territory is combined with an even stricter control system: each batch of wine must be analyzed and tasted by an official commission before receiving authorization for sale. Additionally, the bottles are sealed with a numbered state-issued label, providing an extra guarantee of authenticity.

The difference between DOC and DOCG lies in the stringency of requirements, the lower grape yields, and the longevity the wine must demonstrate. To qualify for DOCG status, a wine must have a documented history of quality and production: typically, the designation is granted only after a prolonged period of certification and consolidation as a DOC wine, along with technical and administrative evaluations (national decrees and production regulations). The exact duration required varies depending on the formal process established for the specific wine.

From IGT to DOCG: the winemaking heritage of Tenute del Cerro

Our labels embody the richness and diversity of the Italian wine classification system: nearly all our wines fall into the IGT, DOC, or DOCG categories, reflecting a deep connection to the territory and a continuous pursuit of quality.

Among the DOCG wines, the renowned Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, elegant and long-lived, and the historic Brunello di Montalcino stand out — both undisputed ambassadors of Tuscany’s great winemaking tradition and flagship wines of Fattoria del Cerro and La Poderina. Also noteworthy are Sacer Montefalco Sagrantino and Ò di Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino, two DOCG wines from the Còlpetrone winery in Umbria, with their unmistakable color and structure, representing the expressive power of this precious indigenous grape variety.

Among the DOC wines, we find the Rosso di Montepulciano, fresh and versatile, and the Rosso di Montalcino, which carries the hallmarks of Tuscan typicity. Alongside these designations, IGT labels showcase the creative freedom of our producers, giving life to reds and whites that combine local and international grape varieties, such as Grechetto Umbria IGT, Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana, and Saccr Umbria Rosso.

Each bottle thus becomes an ambassador of the land, tradition, and winemaking artistry that distinguishes the Tenute del Cerro.