Vino de Pago
Vino de Pago (VP ) is the highest classification under Spanish wine law. It was 2003 by the Cortes Generales, the Spanish Parliament, decided to improve the quality efforts of the Spanish wine industry.
The quality requirements at least equivalent to those of the DOCa. wines. Some wineries may acquire the status under certain conditions. Meanwhile, a dozen of individual farms in different regions of Spain was awarded this quality level ( as of early 2012). Recent changes were ( OJ L 37 of 6 February 2009, p 4) made by Council Regulation ( EC) 110/2009 on the definition, description, presentation, labeling and protection of geographical indications of alcoholic beverages at this quality label. Particularly popular was the new law in the region of Castilla -La Mancha, where the first Vinos de Pago emerged and today most (six) VP exist. The word pago is a Spanish word for the vineyard.
There are a number of prerequisites that must be met, so this award is made. The regulatory authority of the wine-growing region in which this estate is located must provide the framework for what is to be expected in each wine region. In the Rioja region, for example, this implementation is not expected, because they see through their efforts for high quality requirements do not need to create an even higher level of quality.
Wines that are marked as Vinos de Pago, may perform any further designation of quality or origin. In addition, the wines should reflect a specific character of each location. In contrast to the other classification levels only individual wineries are classified. A further condition is the exclusive use of own grapes, which also must come from the immediate area of the winery.