Friday Quiz - and the answer is

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:59 am

Now that we are back up again.

What am I?

Full name required.

I am a legislated control system for winemaking in my country.
I have been blamed for the decline in quality/price for somes of the wine produced under my legistlation as it is not a guarentee of quality.

more clues to come.

SueNZ · Post by **SueNZ** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:25 am

Sounds like DOCG to me

Denominazione de Origine Controllata e Garantita

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:44 am

No, not DOCG.

More clues

I am a legislated control system for winemaking in my country.
I have been blamed for the decline in quality/price for somes of the wine produced under my legistlation as it is not a guarentee of quality.
Under my scheme individual production zones were mapped out, vine varieties were defined and levels of alcohol, acidity and extract were defined, with cielings placed on yields.
Over 250 Zones have been established under my system.

jono · Post by **jono** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:54 am

I'm guessing it's a bit trickier than this, but the French AOC system?

JWR

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:59 am

Jono,

You are right and wrong, in that order.

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:01 pm

That was from me,

Quizmaster cast a 'Guest' spell on me while I wasn't looking.

Bloody Quizmaster.

But you're still wrong Jono

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:56 pm

Hmmm, don't really know for sure, but the general tone of the question so far suggests the German Wine Law of 1971?

cheers
Graeme

jezza · Post by **jezza** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:13 pm

Australia - GIC. Geographical Indications Committee

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:31 pm

No, all wrong thus far;

More Clues:

I am a legislated control system for winemaking in my country.
I have been blamed for the decline in quality/price for somes of the wine produced under my legistlation as it is not a guarentee of quality.
Under my scheme individual production zones were mapped out, vine varieties were defined and levels of alcohol, acidity and extract were defined, with ceilings placed on yields.
Over 250 Zones have been established under my system.

A major factor in what went wrong with me was that some of the restriction were too tight, for example in requiring excessively long oak aging in some of my zones.
Another major defect was in the extremely generous yeilds permitted in some zones, which served to reduce rather than maintain, quality.
A higher level of legislated control has been established to cater for the country's elite wines.

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:40 pm

Quizmasters Apprentice wrote:requiring excessively long oak aging in some of my zones.

I could make a joke about Wolf Blass here, but I suspect it's the Spanish wine law. Trouble is, I've no memory of what it's called, and I believe it's immoral to use Google to answer Friday's quiz!

cheers,
Graeme

PaulV · Post by **PaulV** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:53 pm

I think Sue was pretty close and gave me the idea it had to be Italian.
How's this from google - the answer is the 3rd category below (Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Denomination of Controlled Origin, DOC):

Passage of the Wine Law of l963 in italy spurred the industry's modernization. Highly comprehensive, the Denomination of Origin laws are, in part, patterned after France's respected Appellations ContrÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â´lÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©es. They define Italy's winemaking traditions and regulate every phase of viticulture and viniculture, including vine types, grapes, their processing, aging and bottling. More recently, in response to pressure from winemakers, the laws have been amended to encourage experimentation with untraditional grape varieties and techniques. There are now four different categories:

Paul Verdich

Vino da Tavola (VDT) - Simple table wines that carry neither a varietal name nor a vintage date.

Indicazione Geografica Tipica (Typical Geographic Indication, IGT) - This appellation, instituted in 1992, falls between Vino da Tavola and Denomination of Controlled Origin. The government's purpose is to upgrade a major portion (about 40 percent) of Italy's table wine production by placing these products on a par with the French Vin du Pays or German Landwein. The wine's label must declare its specific region and may cite varietal type and vintage. Growers or regional governments are required to apply for IGT status just as they do for a DOC or DOCG appellation. Currently, there are more than 100 IGTs.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Denomination of Controlled Origin, DOC) - Wines bearing this appellation are registered by the government. Their labels must state their zone of origin and the wines are required to meet certain production standards. Only approved methods of planting, cultivating and fertilizing can be employed, for example. Maximum yields are controlled, as are bottling specifications, alcohol content and aging. The products and their claims are subject to government review at any time. There are currently about 300 DOCs.

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:57 pm

No, not the Spanish wine law either.

Quizmasters Apprentice · Fri Oct 10, 2003 2:07 pm

Google has nailed it, well done Google, and Paul :lol:

.

Sue was close, but said DOCG, the 'elite' classification, whereas the one with the issues is DOC Denominazione di Origine Controllata.

Tom Stevenson is particularly scathing in his Wine Encyclopedia noting "The blame for the decline in the quality of Italian Wines lies partly with the 1963 wine laws.... The law failed to distinguish good from bad and therefore did not become a guarantee of quality.... As a result the DOC designation became so devalued that the theoretically inferior Vina da Tavola (table wine) category was, and still is, used for some of Italy's greatest wines.".

Quizmaster · Post by **Quizmaster** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 3:07 pm

Quizmaster cast a 'Guest' spell on me while I wasn't looking.

Bloody Quizmaster.

That's what happens when the reins are passed :roll:

Careful you young whippersnapper, I ‘m still watching

And consider doing a spell check next week to young fella :wink:

SueNZ · Post by **SueNZ** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:26 pm

Quizmasters Apprentice wrote:Google has nailed it, well done Google, and Paul .

Sue was close, but said DOCG, the 'elite' classification, whereas the one with the issues is DOC Denominazione di Origine Controllata.

Tom Stevenson is particularly scathing in his Wine Encyclopedia noting "The blame for the decline in the quality of Italian Wines lies partly with the 1963 wine laws.... The law failed to distinguish good from bad and therefore did not become a guarantee of quality.... As a result the DOC designation became so devalued that the theoretically inferior Vina da Tavola (table wine) category was, and still is, used for some of Italy's greatest wines.".

Should have used Google, I guess. For some reason Italy quickly sprang to mind but I usually only see DOCG wines, not the lesser DOC wines.
I understand the Tuscany DOCG rules have been revised so the that the 'super Tuscans' are now recognised in DOCG rather than as Vina da Tavola.

Cheers,
Sue