Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC)

The highest quality wine category in Portugal. The old term região Demarcada ("Demarcated Region") was replaced by Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC), which means "controlled Denomination of Origin." this category is roughly equivalent to the French appellation d'origine contrôlée in that there are rules relating to yields, density of planting, and the like. although Portugal was actually the first country to implement a national appellation system (in 1756), there has been much confusion as the country tries to adjust to its entry into the European Economic community (1987). Officials are also reorganizing a category called Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR) for lower-quality wines.