Garnacha/Grenache wines are recognized for being grown in a traditional way but also for their high quality and prestige. That’s why they have the quality certification established by the European Union in two regimes: “PGI“, or Protected Geographical Indication, and “PDO“, Protected Designation of Origin. These two quality schemes absolutely guarantee that the wines with this indication originate in the region, which protects their reputation in the market, and they also explain why the production of Garnacha/Grenache has such a demanding process.
The PDO and IGP labels allow the Garnacha/Grenache wineries to offer their customers transparent information on the origin of the wine.
The “farm-to-table” movement is on the rise around the world, particularly in the United States, as more and more people choose what they consume based on what is in the product. Thus, European PDO and PGI foods and wines not only inform consumers about the specific region where they originated, but also express a reputation for excellence by referring to that region. And this absolutely guarantees its quality.
But let’s explain what exactly each one of these labels means. The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is granted to products originating from a region with great prestige in terms of its cultivation methods and processed products. Wines with this identification are considered to be of quality due to their good name, variety or other characteristics attributable to their place of cultivation. Here the emphasis is on the geographical origin of the product. For this reason, people who buy wine get a better idea of where it comes from and the background of the wineries that make it.
The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) refers to the name of a region whose geographical environment promotes products of quality and excellence. The wines with this indication are produced exclusively in a certain area, from the cultivation of the grapes to the manufacture of the bottle, which means that all the production and transformation is carried out in the region of origin. This seal of quality adds value to the product compared to its competitors: it offers the consumer a clear map of the entire process, from the vine to the table. There are five PDO vineyards in the northeast of Spain that are specialized in the Garnacha grape variety: Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Somontano and Terra Alta.
There are also Grenache vineyards with 13 PDO in the Roussillon areas in France -Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru, Collioure, Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Aspres, Maury Sec, Maury, Rivesaltes, – and 2 PGI – Côtes Catalanes, and Côte Vermeille.
By understanding what the PGI and PDO labels mean, consumers can place Grenache wine varieties in their regions of origin, renowned for their traditional production methods and consistent quality.
The result is that specific flavor of the wine, unmatched, due to the geographical conditions. Grenache vineyards are internationally recognized for the sustainability of the production process (impeccable use of current resources) and for producing millions of hectoliters of delicious PDO and PGI wines each year.
