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VQA

When you enter a LCBO store and you come across the section that sells Canadian wine, you see two categories; VQA and Cellared in Canada.

“Cellared In Canada” which essentially means that the wine can be made from any grapes sourced from any part of the world.

The standards for the VQA designation are among the most stringent in a world. Wineries must apply and meet standards set for record keeping productions methods and vinification procedures.

The Four Major Categories of Italian Wine 

• Vino da Tavola (VdT) literally “table wine”
• Vino a Indicazione Geografica (IGT) ‘geographic location’ 
• Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)  ‘controlled designation of origin’
• Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) ‘controlled and guaranteed designation location’ renc

 wine classification system for designating quality wines, spirits, and other products. 

 IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée or Vin de Pays) 

covers larger regions and has a much looser set of rules or restrictions, and so it can be made with any grape variety. 

Vin de France (or Vin de Table)

considered the lowest or most basic French wine classification. 

SPAIN

Spanish Wine Classification System 
Spain has four “quality” wine or “regulated” classifications, the most common terms being DO and DOC. The appellation classification system is somewhat similar in format to both France and Italy. Spain also has two “unregulated” label designations referred to as “country wine” and “table wine.”

Denominación de Origen (DOC)

This is the most strict Spanish wine classification that is pretty analogous to Italy’s DOCG classification. Only the designated regions of Rioja and Priorat have captured this top label honor to date.

Denominación de Origen (DO)

Spanish wines with the DO designation let you know that the wines are sourced only from the designated growing regions and have met specific criteria and quality standards.

These wines represent good quality wines from over 60 indicated Spanish wine regions. Penedès, Rías Baixas, and Ribera del Duero are some popular DO-designated wine hotspots.

Vino de la Tierra

Used for categorizing and naming Spanish wines that are not in DO-designated growing regions. The label designation “Vino de la Tierra” romantically translates to “wines of the land” or “country wines.”

These wines can offer outstanding quality and super value, as they are not confined to the strict and often costly governmental classifications.

Vino de Mesa

Wines that don’t fall into the above categories are relegated to “table wine” status, and labeled under this quite literal term, “Vino de Mesa.” These wines typically do not include a region, grape or specific vintage on the label.