SPAIN

Spanish wines, in accordance with Regulation (CE) 753/2002 of the European Union, are classified into two major groups, which in turn are divided into subcategories, depending on the level of demand in the preparation process: Table Wine (Vino De Mesa - VDM) y Quality wines produced in specified regions (Vinos de Calidad Producidos en Regiones Determinadas - VCPRD).

The Law of Vine and Wine, which came into force in 2003, describes the different classifications of wines according to the degree of control and demand in the production process, which leads to the definition of the different levels of protection system origin and quality, a kind of what is currently called "traceability".

Depending on the level of demand in the preparation process, Spanish wines are classified as follows:

Quality wines produced in specified regions (Vinos de Calidad Producidos en Regiones Determinadas - VCPRD)

It marks the highest level of demand and control in wine production and is divided into several groups:

Vineyard wines (Vinos de Pago - VP)

It is the higher level can achieve a wine. It includes renowned wines and distinctive climatic characteristics of a "spot" or "rural site" determined. Wine production and marketing will follow a comprehensive quality system that will meet at least the requirements applied to the Denomination of Origin, and will be produced and bottled at the winery's vineyard in which it is located.

Wines with Qualified Designation of Origin (Vinos con Denominación de Origen Calificada - DOCa/DOQ)

Category reserved for wines that have achieved high levels of quality for a lengthy time. In April 1991, Rioja was the first denomination to do so. Among the requirements to achieve this status include: minimum 10 years old from recognition as D.O., all covered products marketed bottled from wineries located in the production area or follow a proper qualitative system from watchdog.

Wines with Designation of Origin (Vinos con Denominación de Origen - DO)

Treat prestigious Spanish wines that come from a delimited production area and are processed according to standards of quality and authenticity, each being regulated by a Denomination of Origin Regulatory Board is responsible for ensuring such important aspects as the varieties authorized grapes, kind of working, parenting time or yields per hectare. For a wine to be covered by the D.O., the production area must have been previously recognized, at least five years in advance, for the production of quality wines with a geographical indication.

Quality Wines with Geographical Indication (Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica - VC)

Wines produced in specified regions, with grapes from the same and whose quality, reputation or characteristics are due to "geographical environment", the human factor or both, in regard to the production of grapes, to the development of or wine aging.

Table Wine (Vinos de Mesa - VDM)

Is the bottom step and in recent years has given shelter to processors adventurers who have created wines in areas beyond the scope of VCPRD, but whose quality parameters has been at similar or sometimes higher than those regions. Within this section establishes two groups:

Regional Wine (Vinos de la Tierra - VT)

Come from certain areas of Spain in which wine is made perfectly identifiable and marked local characteristics, following a wine and winemaking rules not as demanding as that of DO. Included as a requirement in addition to the geographical indication have a minimum alcohol content and indication of the organoleptic characteristics. Included here called Vineyards wines of Spain.

Table Wine (Vinos de Mesa - VDM)

Wine not included in any other higher classification.