In order to label a wine with the D.O. Penedés must comply with the regulations published on 03/03/2006 DOGC 4585-030306.
The subsequent modifications made by the Regulatory Council of the D.O. Penedés can be consulted in its web.
The specifications of the D.O. Penedés are detailed in this document.
Internal Legislation
The Designation of Origin covers white wines with alcohol content of 10 to 13%, rosé wines between 11 and 13%, and red wines between 11 and 14%. Other types will not be considered Penedés. The Regulatory Council sets the yield of the vineyards, and wineries also have established pressing limits. To oversee this, a legal framework has been created, along with controls carried out by the Regulatory Council itself.
One of the greatest challenges the council has faced is ensuring that the vast majority of wines reach the consumer in packaged form, as it aims to prevent Designation of Origin wines from being bottled outside their respective regions.
Regarding the aging and maturation of white wines, the regulations establish a minimum of six months before marketing, ensuring that the wines settle and reach the consumer at their peak quality. For red wines, a minimum of 15 months of aging is required, after which the products can continue to age in the bottle. For Reserva red wines, the aging period is three years, with one mandatory year in oak and two in the bottle. For Gran Reserva wines, the period is double that.
In summary, wines with a Designation of Origin (DOC) are typically released on the market for between eighteen months and two years, although the process can be extended depending on the quality and type of wine being offered.
