The acronym stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica (Typical Geographical Indication) and indicates a category of wines produced in areas generally larger than those regulated by DOC and DOCG.
What are IGT wines? IGT were introduced with the Law 164 of 1992 which reformed and replaced the 930 of 1963. Since 2009, the IGTs have been part of the Igp (Protected Geographical Indication) that also include food products. Such as DOC and DOCG with PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin).
How do they differ?
IGT wines have less strict specifications, generally larger production areas and can make use of the maximum 15 percent cut of grapes and wines produced in different areas, including in other Italian or EU regions.
So, for example, if a Toscana Sangiovese IGT is produced, it is also possible to use 15 percent Sangiovese from other regions. This does not always happen, of course, but it is provided for in the specification and therefore is a perfectly legal practice should it be adopted.
Why did the IGT come into existence?
To regulate the production of many wines that could not have a DOC and were previously called “table wines with geographical indication.” This was until 1992. These included wines of average or mediocre quality, true “sub DOCs,” but also wines that were very prestigious but for the time experimental, who were not eligible for DOCs.
I recall, for example, that most of those later called Supertuscan did not comply with the production rules of the then existing DOCs. Chianti Classico could not be made with pure Sangiovese and also had to contain percentages of white grapes. Therefore, wines such as Tignanello, Fontalloro, I Sodi di San Nicolò, Flaccianello della Pieve, Cepparello, and Cabreo Il Borgo could not fall under that specification. Despite being produced in the Chianti Classico territory.
The Bolgheri DOC for great reds such as Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Grattamacco was born in 1994. Before then they too were “table wines with geographical indication” and, for two years, from 1992 to 1994, simple IGT.
Why am I writing all this to you? Only to provide clarity.
Word to the wise….