Wine - Italy - Glossary Of Label Terms

Front 1

What does the term "abboccato" mean on Italian wines?

Back 1

Semi-sweet

Front 2

What does the term "amabile" mean on Italian wines?

Back 2

Semi-sweet.

Front 3

What does the term "annata" mean on Italian wines?

Back 3

Vintage year.

Front 4

What does the term "vendemmia" mean on Italian wines?

Back 4

Vintage year.

Front 5

What does the term "azienda agricola" (or AZ. AGR.) mean on Italian wines?

Back 5

An estate winery; one that grows its own grapes.

Front 6

What does the term "brut" mean on Italian wines?

Back 6

Bone-dry sparkling wine.

Front 7

What does the term "cantine sociale" (or C.S.) mean on Italian wines?

Back 7

Cooperative winery.

Front 8

What does the term "cantine" mean on Italian wines?

Back 8

Cellars.

Front 9

What does the term "casa vinicola" mean on Italian wines?

Back 9

Winery, one that purchases some of the grapes it uses.

Front 10

What does the term "classico" mean on Italian wines?

Back 10

A geographic term, signifying a traditional zone within the heart of a DOCG area. The original area that made the wine famous.

Front 11

What does the term "DOC" mean on Italian wines?

Back 11

(Denominazione di Origine Controllata)

Law under which certain wines are recognized and regulated by the Italian goverment. On a label, it assures you that the wine is from a specific geographic area, uses prescribed grape varieties and meets standards of color, alcohol content and the like.

Front 12

Approximately how many DOC zones are there in Italy?

Back 12

250

Front 13

What does the term "DOCG" mean on Italian wines?

Back 13

(Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

A designation for wines that have passed strict chemical and taste analysis, even beyond DOC regulations.

Front 14

What does the term "dolce" mean on Italian wines?

Back 14

Sweet.

Front 15

What does the term "fattoria" mean on Italian wines?

Back 15

Farm or estate.

Front 16

What does the term "frizzante" mean on Italian wines?

Back 16

Mildly effervescent.

Front 17

What does the term "imbottigliato all'origine" mean on Italian wines?

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Estate bottled; that is, bottled by the winemaker who grew the grapes and made the wine.

Front 18

What does the term "imbottigliato nella zone di produzione" mean on Italian wines?

Back 18

Bottled in the production area.

Front 19

What does an I.N.E. Seal mean on Italian wines?

Back 19

This round red seal with the words "Marchio Nazionale" appears on the neck of every Italian wine bottle exported to America and indicates compliance with governmental quality control procedures. Italy is the only country requiring a specific analysis and registration before wines are shipped to the USA.

Front 20

What does the term "liquoroso" mean on Italian wines?

Back 20

A high alcohol wine that probably has been fortified by adding grape alcohol.

Front 21

What does the term "passito" mean on Italian wines?

Back 21

Strong wine made from sweet, sun-dried grapes.

Front 22

What does the term "produttori" mean on Italian wines?

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Producers.

Front 23

What does the term "riserva" mean on Italian wines?

Back 23

Applicable to certain DOC and DOCG wines - means the wine was aged longer than a non-riserva wine.

Front 24

What does the term "secco" mean on Italian wines?

Back 24

Dry.

Front 25

What does the term "spumante" mean on Italian wines?

Back 25

Sparkling wine - this refers to both dry and sweet wines.

Front 26

What does the term "superiore" mean on Italian wines?

Back 26

Permitted on certain DOC wines - indicates a longer aging or a higher percentage of alcohol than the minimum required for that wine.

Front 27

What does the term "tenuta" mean on Italian wines?

Back 27

Estate.

Front 28

What does the term "vino da tavola" mean on Italian wines?

Back 28

Table wine, a still wine, not a dessert or sparkling wine. All wines that are not DOC or DOCG.

Front 29

What does the term "vino tipico" mean on Italian wines?

Back 29

Typical or characteristic wine whose area and grape are named on the label.

Front 30

What does the term "VQPRD" mean on Italian wines?

Back 30

Initials for the Italian phrase meaning "quality wine produced in a specific region" - this is a Common Market rating.

Front 31

What does the term "VSQPRD" mean on Italian wines?

Back 31

Initials for the Italian phrase meaning "quality sparkling wine produced in a specific region" - this is a Common Market rating.