Abbreviation for "Denominación de Origen Calificada", the former designation in Spain for quality wine of certain wine-growing regions with controlled and guaranteed origin; as a step up to the DO level (Denominación de Origen). They were replaced by DOP with the EU wine market regulation valid from August 2009. In addition, there is still the country-specific designation Vino de Pago for privileged areas, which correspond analogously to a DO or DOCa classification. However, the old, traditional designations are still permitted. See also under Quality System. A list of all areas is contained in the keyword Spain.
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