Portuguese Immigration Learn about life and culture in Portugal: The Portuguese were among the first to implement a wine classification system. They began using a title system over 200 years ago, even before France. The reason for this title system is to provide consumers with assurance of the wine's origin. These titles include grape varieties, microclimates, soils, and winemaking techniques used. Therefore, drinking a wine labeled with a title means enjoying a quality wine.
The classification system in Portugal, from highest to lowest, is as follows:
1. Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC) is similar to France's AOC or Italy's DOC. Notable regions of this classification include Douro, Dao, Porto, Bairrada, Bucelas, and Vinho Verde.
2. Indicação de Proveniência Regulamentada (IPR)
3. Vinhos de Qualidade Produzidos em Regiões Determinadas (VQPRD) is equivalent to France's VDQS.
4. Vinhos Licorosos de Qualidade Produzidos em Regiões Determinadas (VLQPRD)
5. Vinhos Espumantes de Qualidade Produzidos em Regiões Determinadas (VEQPRD)
6. Vinhos Frisante de Qualidade Produzidos em Regiões Determinadas (VFQPRD)
7. Vinho Regional
Similar to Italy's IGT, this classification includes wines that are not produced according to legal winemaking requirements, but this does not indicate low quality! Due to the diverse soils and grape varieties in Portugal, you can find many wines with regional characteristics here.
8. Vinho de Mesa
9. Wines with the seal of the Portuguese Wine Association, which have government-certified quality.
Today in Portugal, DOC signifies the highest classification of wine. Wines from regions outside the designated DOC areas but classified under similar strict regulations are known as IPR, which are the second-tier Portuguese wines. The next level in this classification system is regional wine, classified as Vinho Regional; the final level is table wine, named Vinho de Mesa.
