Wine Designations of Origin are There in Spain?

It is clear that in Spain, we know well how to enjoy life and a great winemaking tradition. Centuries of history dedicated to the cultivation of the vine and the production of this drink have shaped our culture and contributed to building a strong international reputation. Not only are we the country with the most land devoted to vineyards, but we are also at the forefront of the wine export industry worldwide. This success is only possible thanks to the existence of systems designed to define and preserve our wine identity. This is where the designation of origin of wines in Spain comes in.  

We encourage you to pour yourself a cup of our D.O. wines and join us on this interesting journey through the ins and outs of the subject. 

What is the Appellation of Origin?

Before answering questions that would make you win in Trivia, such as "how many designations of origin are there in Spain?", it is necessary to start at the beginning. That is, by defining the main concepts and their classes.  

What is a designation of origin? The Designation of Origin (DO), known as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), is nothing more than a system dedicated to regulating and protecting certain food or agricultural products, as is the case with wine. It is like a stamp that tells you that what you are buying is good, authentic, and unique. 

Thanks to this system, producers can differentiate themselves from the competition, promote their wine brand, and safeguard their reputation. For consumers, it also has its advantages, as the designation provides quality guarantees and facilitates the selection process when it comes to buying wine.  

To achieve this, there is a whole network of laws, decrees, orders, and other regulations aimed at ensuring that the resulting product complies with the necessary quality standards. The varieties of grapes, the forms of cultivation and production, as well as the methods of production and aging, among many other aspects, are regulated in these regulations. Nothing is left to chance.  

In this context, the regulatory councils are responsible for ensuring that all the OD legislation is duly complied with.  

Another feature to note about the Appellations of Origin designation is that they are linked to selected wine regions. That is why there is usually a lot of confusion with another quite similar term: the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). 

Both concepts are included in Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013, as the two quality levels recognized by the European Union. However, the difference between PDO and PGI is that the standards are much stricter for PDO.  

The PDO is directly linked to the natural and human factors of the area that make this wine possible. To do this, all phases of production must be given the same place, something that does not happen with the PGI.  

Types of Designation of Origin in our Country

Things get a little more complicated when we talk about Spain. In our country, there are several categories and levels to refer to the quality of wines. We know it can be a bit messy, but here we explain, point by point, the current system.  

Concerning protected appellations of origin, the classification is as follows: 

- Table wines (VM): The most humble wines. They do not follow any set rules, and can be grown and brewed anywhere.  

- Wines of the land (VT) or with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): wines linked to specific geographical areas but whose regulations are more flexible than in the case of PDO wines. 

- Quality wine with Geographical Indication (VCIG): Halfway between PGI and DO. Therefore, as you can guess, their regulations are stricter than in the previous case, but without reaching the appellation of origin. 

- Designation of origin (DO): distinguishes wines with high levels of quality and that have characteristics typical of a specific wine region.   

- Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa): within the DO, there is an even higher recognition reserved only for wines that are at the top of the system of designations of origin. Of course, it comes with even stricter standards. That is why, in Spain, there are only two qualified designations of origin: DOCa Rioja and DOQ Priorat. 

- Paid wine (PV): This is one of the most special designations, as it is assigned directly to specific wineries or producers. To achieve this recognition, the wines produced must have certain unique characteristics linked to the soil and climate where they are grown and that do not occur in the rest of the environment. 

The Designation of Origin of Wines in Spain

We have already seen the Types of appellation of origin that there are in Spain, but how is that reflected in the data? To understand the magnitude and impact of this distinction in our country, we are going to summarize some key figures.  

Currently, there are 96 Protected Designations of Origin for wine which are broken down as follows: 19 Paid Wines, 67 Designation of Origin, 8 Quality Wine with Geographical Indication, and only 2 Qualified Designation of Origin. You can see that there is a strong commitment in Spain to the quality and regulation of its products.  

As we cannot stop to talk about each of these designations of origin, we are going to review the most important ones.  

Rioja and Priorat, the only DOCa

To talk about wine in our country is to speak, undoubtedly, of Rioja. The prestige and recognition of this designation of origin is the result of years of tireless work and perfect geographical and climatic conditions for the cultivation of vines. Did you know that its long history is closely linked to Bordeaux wines?  

This wine region stretches across La Rioja, Basque Country, and Navarre and is divided into three different zones: the Rioja Alta, the Rioja Alavesa, and the Rioja Oriental. Up to 14 varieties of grapes are grown in this region, the main ones being Tempranillo and Viura.  

The barrel-aged Rioja reds are the star product of this place, although you can also find excellent white wines and rosés.  

The other region of our country distinguished with the DOCa seal is Priorat (https://www.15bodegas.com/vinos/d-o/priorat). Located in the province of Tarragona, is characterized by offering wines that combine quality and personality.  

One of the keys to this region’s excellence is its unusual setting characterized by the slate soils and the terraced arrangement of the vineyards. Grenache and Carignan are the most widely used varieties when making red wines that attract attention for their concentration and complexity of flavors. 

DO Rueda, the Paradise of White Wines

Rueda designation of origin refers to the wines produced in Valladolid, Segovia, and Ávila. The Continental climate, gravelly soil, and Verdejo grapes come together in this region in a masterful way to create exquisite white wines that have grown in popularity in recent times.    

However, despite specialization in Verdejo, you should know that Rueda also produces wines that use other varieties of grapes. For example, Sauvignon Blanc, Macabeo, and Palomino Fino. Although, of course, in smaller quantities. 

La Mancha, the largest D.O.

La Mancha has earned the nickname "the winery of Europe." It has an area of vineyards that exceeds 150,000 hectares distributed in the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, and Toledo.  

According to 2023 data, the following are distributed throughout this area: 215 wineries and 13,591 winegrowers. The most important red grape varieties grown here are Tempranillo, Syrah, Garnacha Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Garnacha Tintorera.  

As for the whites, Airén, Macabeo, Verdejo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the Muscat grain menudo. 

These are just a few of the country's most representative examples, but there are many more, 96 denominations in total. I'm sure they'll ring a bell: DO Ribera del Duero, DO Valdepeñas, DO Rías Baixas or DO Ribeiro, as they are the best known. 

If you've come this far, you'll have realized the relevance of the Designation of origin of wines in Spain. In addition, the numbers and data that we have shared with you throughout the article are the best reflection of the diversity and richness presented by the wine sector in our country. At 15 Bodegas, we are delighted to bring you a little closer to the wonderful idiosyncrasies of this sector. From now on, you will be aware of all the history, tradition, and know-how that is hidden in each DO. And if you want to soak up the background on this topic, remember that you can do it through our Wine Shop online and with the Wine tourism experiences that we offer you.