View source for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

’‘Protected Designation of Origin’’’ (PDO) is a European Union classification used to identify agricultural products and foodstuffs, including wine, that are produced, processed, and prepared in a specific geographical area according to recognised methods. In the wine sector, PDO status ensures that all stages of production take place within a defined region and follow precise viticultural and winemaking standards. The designation is part of the EU’s quality policy and is legally protected under Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, serving both to safeguard traditional practices and to guarantee authenticity for consumers<ref>European Commission, “Quality schemes explained”, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/geographical-indications-and-quality-schemes/geographical-indications-and-quality-schemes-explained_en, accessed August 2025.</ref>.

== Classification criteria and usage in wine ==

To qualify for the ‘’‘Protected Designation of Origin’’’ (PDO) label, a wine must be produced entirely within a delimited geographical area, using [[grape varieties]] authorised for that zone and following traditional methods specific to the region<ref>Jancis Robinson & Julia Harding (eds.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2015, p. 540.</ref>. This includes controls on viticultural practices, maximum yields, ageing periods, and alcohol levels. Unlike the broader [[Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)]], the PDO designation demands stricter adherence to local production norms and geographic authenticity.

In practice, the PDO classification encompasses national systems such as [[Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)]] and [[Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)]] in Italy, [[Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP)]] in France, and [[Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP)]] in Spain. Wines bearing the PDO mark must meet analytical and sensory standards before release and are subject to regular certification.

== Geographic scope and implementation ==

The PDO system is applied across all EU member states and extends to certain non-EU countries through trade agreements. In the context of wine, it serves to highlight the most terroir-specific expressions, where factors such as soil type, microclimate, traditional know-how, and grape variety are seen as intrinsically linked to quality. Regions such as Chianti Classico in Italy, Rioja in Spain, and Chablis in France all hold PDO status under their respective national frameworks<ref>Karen MacNeil, The Wine Bible, Workman Publishing, 2001, pp. 270–272.</ref>.

Implementation is overseen by both national authorities and the European Commission, ensuring that wines sold under the PDO label comply with legally registered product specifications. The geographical boundaries and production rules are officially recorded in the EU’s E-Bacchus database, which catalogues all recognised PDOs and PGIs for wine across the Union<ref>Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), Understanding Wines: Explaining Style and Quality, latest edition, Chapter on European Labelling Terms.</ref>.

== See also ==
[[Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)]]

[[Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)]]

[[Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)]]

[[Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)]]

[[Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP)]]

== References ==
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