DOP
Denominazione di Origine Protetta
The DOP, standing for PDO (Protested Designation of Origin), is a quality label attributed to those alimentary products whose peculiar characteristics  depend basically or exclusively on the territory where they are produced. Geographical environment includes natural factors, such as climate and environmental characteristics, and human factors, such as production techniques passed on from one generation to another, artisan methods and know-how. Combined together these factors allow obtaining a unique product manufactured in a particular area. Moreover, to be registered as DOP, products have to be produced, transformed and processed in a well defined geographical area. DOP label producers have to follow the strict rules defined in their production specifications. Control bodies guarantee the rules to be respected. 

 

IGP
Indicazione Geografica Protetta
The IGP, standing for PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), is a quality label attributed to those agricultural and alimentary products whose determined quality, production and any other characteristics depend on their geographical origin. Moreover, their production, transformation and processing occur in a determined geographical area. To obtain an IGP label, at least one of production phases has to take place in a particular area. IGP label producers have to follow the strict rules defined in their production specifications. Control bodies guarantee the rules to be respected. 

 

DOC
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
The DOC, standing for DCO (Denomination for Controlled Origin), is the label attributed to the wines produced in relatively small or medium size delimitated areas, and having indications of their geographical names. Usually the grape variety name follows the DOC name. Production indications are rather rigid. DOC wines are placed on market only after having passed the chemical and sensorial analyses.   

 

DOCG
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
The DOCG, standing for DCGO (Denomination for Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), is the label attributed to DOC wines having a particularly high quality and famous both in Italy and worldwide. These wines undergo stricter controls. They have to be commercialized in bottles of less than 5 litre volume and labelled with the state label, which guarantees their origin and quality, allowing the numeration of bottles.  

 

IGT
Indicazione Geografica Tipica
The IGT, standing for TGI (Typical Geographical Indication), is the label attributed to wines characterized by a geographical indication that can be accompanied by other mentions (for example, the vine variety). It is usually characterized by wide production areas and relatively soft production specifications.

 

STG
Specialità Tradizionale Garantita
The STG, standing for TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed), is the European recognition label, following the

Regulation EC 2082/92 on the specificity of agro-alimentary products that, due to their qualitative features or

tradition, are distinguished from other similar goods. The label highlights the traditional character of wine

production of a particular geographic zone. Thus, the label is not attributed to those products whose

particuliarity depends exclusively on geographic origin. This is the main difference of the STG from the DOP and the IGP. In conclusion, the STG product can be produced everywhere as long as its specific production method is respected.

 

Organic Products
Organic products are those whose entire production process does not make use of chemical products (pesticides and fertilisers), allowing only environment friendly cultivation and breeding techniques. For example, to render the soil more fertile, crop rotation is applied and only organic manures and natural minerals are used; whereas, to defend cultivations from parasites, only those techniques and products are used which do not harm the environment. Products from organic farming are regulated by EEC regulation 2092/91 and undergo a very rigid control system established by law, which verifies the conformity to specific production regulations. Organic products are recognized due to the wording "From organic farming”. This label also indicates the name of the control body, ministerial authorisation and a series of letters and numbers (so called “identity card” of the product and the producer. For example, IT (Italy), Xyz (abbreviation of the control organism), 1234 (code of the firm), F (fresh product) or T (transformed product), 000000 (authorisation code). Organic products can also be identified with the help of EU logo introduced by EC regulation n.331/2000.