D.O.C. stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. It is a law established in Italy in 1963 concerning Italian bottled wines only. It determines the area within which certain wines may be produced, the soil and the arrangements of the vineyards; the grapes and blend of grapes; the method of cultivation; yield of the vineyard and method of vinification; and certain details like the length of maturation and whether wines of different vintages can be blended.
Bottles and labels similarly come under control, as well as the names of both wines and firms.
Penalties for infringements can be the closing of an offending establishment for a year and a heavy fine on each gallon (4.54 litres) to which a false description was applied.
Although the term D.O.C. s often compared to the French Applelation d'Origine Controlée it works differently. The administration is centralised and does not depend, as does the A.O.C., largely on local syndicates.
Bottles and labels similarly come under control, as well as the names of both wines and firms.
Penalties for infringements can be the closing of an offending establishment for a year and a heavy fine on each gallon (4.54 litres) to which a false description was applied.
Although the term D.O.C. s often compared to the French Applelation d'Origine Controlée it works differently. The administration is centralised and does not depend, as does the A.O.C., largely on local syndicates.