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