What is the Spanish equivalent of PDO?

The Spanish equivalent of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is indeed represented by the classifications DOC (Denominación de Origen Calificada) and DO (Denominación de Origen). These designations underline the high quality and unique characteristics of wines from specific regions in Spain. The DOCa designation is reserved for those regions that have demonstrated excellence over time, reflecting rigorous quality standards, while DO encompasses a wider range of quality wines that still adhere to set production regulations.

The DOC and DO classifications in Spain serve similar purposes to PDO in ensuring that only wines that meet strict geographical and quality criteria can use the designated name of the region. This is essential for maintaining the integrity and reputation of these wine-producing areas.

In contrast, other options like IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) represent a lower classification for wines that may not fulfill the same stringent requirements as PDO or DOC. The AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) is a French term that serves a similar purpose to PDO but is not used in Spain. Qualitätswein is a German classification that denotes quality wine from specific regions but does not correspond to Spain's system.