Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) [deh-naw-mee-nah-THYON deh aw-REE-hen kah-lee-fee-KAH-dah]

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A term meaning “qualified designation of origin,” referring to the top category for Spanish wines. It was presumably introduced as a response to the criticism that many of the holders of DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN (DO) status did not produce wines of acceptably high quality. This DOCa classification adds the word calificada (“qualified”), indicating that it has more exacting standards than those established for DOs. Spain’s RIOJA region was the first to meet the definitive standards of the new DOCa category, PRIORAT the second.