Italy's pyramid & modifiers
VINO
basic
IGT
regional (Super Tuscans)
DOC
controlled origin
DOCG
+ Garantita: top tier
- DOCG > DOC > IGT > Vino — the 'G' is the giveaway of the top tier.
- Classico — the historic heartland of a zone (e.g. Chianti Classico).
- Riserva — longer mandatory ageing (rules vary by appellation).
- Superiore — often higher minimum alcohol / stricter rules.