Differences between the protections of Spanish wines
Legally, the Regulation establishes the quality regimes for wines and specifically differentiates only two types of protection: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
It is interesting to understand their differences and peculiarities, and that is what we are going to try to do.
The highest protection regime is the PDO and a wine with PDO means that it originates from a specific place with characteristics and quality of that geographical area and with an elaboration carried out exclusively in that territory. Thus, we can speak of denominations of origin, qualified denominations of origin, quality wines with a geographical indication and paid wines.
As for the differences between them, they have to do with the quality criteria and not with their protection regime. In this way, a Vino de Pago has legally the same qualification as one with a Denomination of Origin, although the requirements to access the use of this term are much more restrictive.
For its part, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) also identifies a product originating in an area, with a quality or characteristic that can be attributed to it and where the production does not need to be carried out in its entirety in that geographical area. . With at least one of them it would work. These are the so-called Wines of the Earth
Some of the characteristics of the two types of protection can be better seen in this table:
WINES with PDO | WINES with PGI |
Its quality and characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to its geographical origin, with its inherent human and cultural factors. | It has a quality, reputation or other specific characteristics attributable to its geographical origin. |
100% of the grapes come exclusively from the geographical area of production. | At least 85% of the grapes come exclusively from the geographical area. |
Its production takes place within the geographical area. | Its elaboration takes place in the geographical area. |
It is obtained from wine varieties belonging to Vitis vinífera. | It is obtained from wine varieties belonging to Vitis vinifera and other species of the genus Vitis. |
At Bodegas El Inicio we make five wines with Denomination of Origin and one from the Land. Among the former we have a presence in the Ribera del Duero with the signature wine ADMIRACIÓN, RIVENDEL Crianza and RIVENDEL Roble. In the DO Rueda with PLUMA BLANCA and in that of Rías Baixas with ELAS.
For its part, we also have a wine from the Land of Castilla y León, the rosé PLUMA ROSÉ.
Finally, on this map you can see the different wine-growing areas of Spain