Official Designations

When Portugal joined the European Union (at the time of the CEE), certain changes had to be made to the designation of wines produced. The Denomination of Origin, (DO - Denominação de Origem) is attributed to wines that, due to their characteristics, are intimately associated with a specific region: they originate and are produced in that region and possess qualities or characteristics inherent in that geographical location (natural as well as human factors). These wines are subject to a high control at all levels of the winemaking process. The Certifying Entities, currently known as Regional Wine Commissions examine both the viticulture and vinification stages of the winemaking in order to preserve its qualities and unique characteristics.

DOP

DOP means Protected Designation of Origin. It’s an European nomenclature adopted to designate the wines with Designation of Origin eligible for protection in the Community in accordance with the rules and integrated in a unique common registration.

DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada – Denomination of Controlled Origin): Wines originating from older production regions and therefore subject to their own legislation (soil characteristics, grape varieties, vinification and bottling).

IG

Wines with Geographical Indication, that is to say, wines products that possesses a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics attributable to that geographical origin, its production takes place in the geographical area and at least 85 % of the grapes used for its production come exclusively from that geographical area. Similar to wines with designation of origin, they are controlled and subjected to certifying procedures.

IGP means Protected Geographical Indication. European nomenclature adopted to designate the wines with Geographical Designation eligible for protection in the Community in accordance with the rules and integrated in a unique common registration.

Regional Wines
Traditional mention specific for the labeling of the products with geographical designation. At times these can be produced in DOC regions, but fail to respect one or more rules in its production and therefore cannot be classified as such. In regional wine, the inclusion of up to 15% of wine originating from other regions is permitted, as is the shortening of the maturation period and the utilization of grape varieties and types of bottle that are not authorized in DOC wines.

The regional wines are called according to their provenience: "Minho", "Transmontano", "Douro", "Beiras" with the sub-regions "Beira Alta", "Beira Litoral" and "Terras de Sicó", "Tejo", "Lisboa" with the sub-regions "Estremadura" and "Alta Estremadura ", “Península de Setúbal”, “Alentejano”, “Algarve”, “Terras Madeirenses” and “Azores”.

Wine

The wines for human consumption that do not belong to the referred designations are considered wines and must fulfil both the national and common regulations.