All Classifications

Amarone Classico refers to Amarone della Valpolicella wines produced in the original historic zone of the Valpolicella region. Made from partially dried grapes, these wines are known for their full body, concentrated flavours, and traditional regional expression.

Amarone is a dry red wine classification from Italy’s Valpolicella region, made using partially dried grapes through the appassimento method. This process concentrates flavours and sugars, resulting in full-bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, dried fruit characteristics.

AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is France’s official wine classification system, regulating geographic origin, grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking practices to ensure quality and authenticity. It protects traditional regional wine styles and names.

AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) is the European Union’s designation for wines with protected geographic origin. Replacing France’s former AOC system, it ensures that wines are produced within a specific area using approved grape varieties and traditional methods.

AVA (American Viticultural Area) is a U.S. wine classification that designates specific grape-growing regions with distinct geographic and climatic features. Wines labelled with an AVA must source at least 85% of their grapes from that defined area, emphasising regional identity.

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Classico DOCG refers to wines produced in the historic, original heartland of certain Italian wine regions that have been awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status—the highest classification in Italy's wine quality system.

Gran Selezione is the highest classification within Chianti Classico DOCG in Tuscany, introduced in 2014. It requires stricter production standards, including estate-grown grapes and a minimum of 30 months ageing, highlighting top-quality wines with regional typicity.

Crianza is a Spanish wine classification indicating a minimum aging period before release. For red wines, it requires at least two years of aging, with one in oak; white and rosé wines must age for at least one year, including six months in oak. Ageing times may vary by region.

Cru Beaujolais represents the highest classification of Beaujolais wines, made from Gamay grapes in ten distinct villages.

Cru Bourgeois is a quality classification for Médoc wines in Bordeaux, recognising estates outside the 1855 Classification. Awarded annually based on production standards and blind tasting, it highlights reliable wines offering quality and value within the region.

Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel is the highest tier within the Cru Bourgeois classification for Médoc wines in Bordeaux. Awarded based on strict quality criteria and tasting assessments, it recognizes estates that demonstrate exceptional consistency and excellence over time.

Cru Bourgeois Supérieur is a tier within the Cru Bourgeois classification for Médoc wines in Bordeaux. It recognizes estates that meet elevated quality standards based on strict criteria, including blind tastings, vineyard management, and consistency across vintages.

DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) is Austria’s regional wine classification system, denoting wines that reflect the typical style and grape varieties of a specific region. DAC wines must meet defined quality and origin standards, emphasising regional identity and typicity.

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DOC Portugal (Denominação de Origem Controlada) is a wine classification system used in Portugal to designate wines of controlled origin, similar to France's AOC or Italy’s DOC.

Erste Lagen is a classification used by Austria’s Traditional Wine Estates (ÖTW) to designate premier vineyard sites with exceptional terroir. Applied primarily to Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, it reflects rigorous standards in viticulture and winemaking within defined regions.

Gran Reserva DOCa refers to a high-quality category of Spanish wine, specifically within the Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) system, which is the country’s most stringent designation for origin and quality—currently held by only Rioja and Priorat.

Grand Cru is a top-tier vineyard classification used in several French wine regions, notably Burgundy, Champagne, and Alsace. It designates sites recognised for producing wines of exceptional quality, based on terroir, historical reputation, and strict production standards.

Grand Cru Classé is a classification established in 1855 for Bordeaux wines, primarily in the Médoc and Sauternes regions. It ranks select châteaux based on historical reputation and market value, highlighting consistent quality within designated growth tiers.