Certifications of wines as a guarantee of quality.
- Manos Christofakis
- 18 Απρ 2023
- διαβάστηκε 4 λεπτά
When talking about quality, the word certification comes immediately to mind.
Certification refers to the process of evaluating and verifying that a product meets certain standards or specifications. This process usually includes testing to ensure that a product apart from safe, meets regulatory requirements and performs as intended. Certification is done by independent third-party organizations (like UL, Lloyds, TUV, Intertek) and can be mandatory or voluntary depending on the product and country.
These certifications give confidence to consumers that the product has been independently evaluated and meets certain standards. It also helps to protect consumers from purchasing counterfeit or substandard products, promoting at the same time the credibility and reputation of a product. It can ultimately help to increase the product’s value and marketability. Furthermore, certifications can be a powerful tool for differentiating a product from its competitors and can help to establish a strong brand identity in the market. Newer certification schemes also provide the consumer with the knowledge that the products are ethically produced and meet certain requirements such as organic, fair trade, vegan, etc.
There are several types of certifications used in Europe to guarantee the authenticity and excellence of a wine.
The two main forms of certification are the use of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). PDO is used to identify the origin of a wine in a specific region and to confirm that the production and processing methods of the wine are in accordance with the region's regulations. PGI, on the other hand, is used to identify the quality of a wine and to confirm that the wine's characteristics and reputation are closely linked to its geographical origin. These two categories replaced the 'QWPSR' (Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region) and 'Table Wine' back in 2011.
Each EU country has its own quality categories which correspond to PDO (AOC: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée for France, DOC: Denominazione di Origine Controllata for Italy, etc.) and PGI (VDP: Vin de Pays in France and IGT: Indicazione Geografica Tipica in Italy
Geographical indication (GI) also exists for spirit drinks, while Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) certification of various food and agricultural products, highlights the traditional aspects, such as the way these products are made or their composition.
The responsibility for granting these certifications lies with the European Commission who after examining the application made by the producer or organization representing the producers of the product, decides whether the product will be granted PDO or PGI status and can legally use the EU logo and be marketed as PDO or PGI. As of 2022, there are over 1,300 wines with PDO or PGI designation in the EU, with Sancerre (Fr), Sant-Emilion (Fr), Prosecco (It), Delle Venezie (It), Chianti (Esp), etc.
Another important certification is the Wine Estate Bottled (WEB) certification. This certification is awarded to wines that are produced, fermented, and bottled on the same estate where the grapes were grown. This guarantees the authenticity and quality of the wine, as the entire production process is closely monitored and controlled by the same producer.
Organic wine certification is also gaining popularity in Europe. This certification follows the guideline implemented by the Regulation of the European Commission (EC) no. 203/2012, ensuring that the grapes used to produce the wine are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and that the wine is produced using minimal intervention methods. Even though Organic wine certification doesn’t guarantee the quality of the wine, it assures the health of the consumer and the sustainability of the environment.
A step beyond the Organic wine is the Biodynamic Wine Certification, where various certification schemes (such as Demeter, Biodyvin, etc.) verify according to their standards that the farming process of the producer involves the use of manures and composts without synthetic or artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides on soil and plants. What’s more, a planting and bottling calendar that depends upon astrological configurations is followed, treating the earth and the wine itself, as a living and receptive organism.
Vegan certification for wines is a way to ensure that the wine production process does not involve any animal-derived products or by-products, such as gelatin, casein, or egg whites are usually used in the fining or clarification process of the wine. Additionally, it guarantees that no animal-derived products were used in the vineyard management and harvesting of grapes and that no animal-derived ingredients were used in the labeling, packaging, or transportation of the wine. Popular not only among consumers who follow a plant-based lifestyle but also particularly important for those who may have dietary restrictions or ethical concerns. Year by year it’s becoming more appealing to a wider audience of health-conscious and environmentally-conscious consumers, as it helps to ensure that the wine was produced sustainably and responsibly.
It has become clear over the years that the production of an excellent wine itself isn’t enough. Certification of the product, participation in wine tasting competitions, proper marketing, etc., are only a few of the producer’s weapons to ensure recognition for its hard work and the high quality of its product.
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