Denominacion de Origen

The Spanish system for wine classification that fits the requirments of the European Economic Community’s top-quality wine category. This “designation of origin” is similar to France’s APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE. To qualify for Denominación de Origen (DO) status, wines must meet specific requirements including geographic areas where the grapes must be grown and the wines made, grape varieties permitted in that area, vineyard practices, maximum YIELD, minimum ALCOHOL content, and winemaking practices. The first DO-RIOJA-was established in 1926; there are now close to forty areas with DO status. Each DO has its own governing body >consejo regulador) that may implement stricter rules for the CRIANZA, RESERVA, and GRAN RESERVA wines than those imposed by federal standards. Spanish officials have recently announced a new higher category, DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN CALIFICADA.