Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

[deh-NAW-mee-nah-TSYAW-neh dee oh-REE-jee-neh con-traw-LAH-tah eh gah-rahn-TEE-tah] A premium wine category that embodies a premier group of Italian growing areas whose regulations encompass all laws of the denominazione di origine controllata but are even more demanding. Meaning "Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin," the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita focuses on the key word garantita-the Italian government's quality "guarantee." Government testers examine and taste the wines prior to awarding DOCG status. The producers then bottle the qualifying wines, securing them with a government seal (a colored strip placed over the capsule or cork). The words "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" are incorporated into the label. The first five DOCGs were barolo and barbaresco in the piedmont region and brunello di montalcino, vino nobile di montepulciano and chianti in the tuscany region. These five areas all received general approval, but the addition of the sixth area, albana di romagna, has been quite controversial. Many experts believe that the quality of this area's wines aren't comparable to the other five DOCGs. Other DOCG zones include Acqui or brachetto d'acqui, asti, bardolino superiore, carmignano, franciacorta, gattinara, gavi orcortese di gavi, ghemme, montefalco sagrantino, ramandolo, recioto di soave, soave superiore, taurasi, torgiano riserva, valtellina superiore, vermentino di gallura and vernaccia di san gimignano .