Denominacion de Origen (DO)

Definition - What does Denominacion de Origen (DO) mean?

Denominación de Origen or DO is a part of a regulatory classification system or appellation used in Spain for wines, but it is not exclusive to wines and can be used for other food items like cheese, condiments, honey, meat products and beyond. This classification is used to regulate the quality and determine the geographical origin of Spain’s finest wines and national products. According to the geographical classification system, there are 120 identifiable wine regions.

WineFrog explains Denominacion de Origen (DO)

There are five separate Denominación de Origen categories solely for wine and also three other categories for food that are recognized by the European Union. Denominación de Origen has a classification system which is equivalent to the French AOC and the Italian DOC.

The Spanish DO is a subset of the European Union sponsored effort to ensure quality wine produced in specific regions are easily identifiable through a regulatory code, which was formally adopted by Spain in 1986. The Spanish appellation hierarchy was updated most recently in the year 2009. They are the following from the most stringent to least stringent category:

  • Denominación de Origen Calificada - Appellation of Origin
  • Denominación de Origen - Designation of Origin
  • Vinos de Calidad con Indication Geografica - Quality Wines with Geographical Indications
  • Vino de la Tierra - Land Wine
  • Vino de la Mesa - Table Wine
  • Vino de Pago
  • Very Old Sherry

So, DO is one of the 7 Spanish appellations and among the finer ones.