The following description of Spanish wine classification outlines the main quality levels and incorporates the changes resulting from the 2003 Spanish Wine Law

A: Quality wines: the upper tiers

Denominación de Origin Pago (DO Pago)
The classification of DO Pago* was established in 2003 to recognise a category of superior wines coming from vineyards with specific geographical and microclimatic characteristics that distinguish them from the surrounding areas. Producers with DO Pago status may or may not be within an existing DO.
Before qualifying for DO Pago, an estate must have produced wines of exceptional quality for at least 10 years. Extensive research into soil types and terroir is also required.
DO Pago producers use only their own grapes – local or international grapes or a mixture of both - and they generally work with lower yields than those stipulated by the broader DO. There are currently six DO Pago producers in Spain (see DO Pago for more details).
* The word pago means a country estate or property in Spanish.

Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa), Denominació d’Origen Qualificad (DOQ) in Catalan
The DOCa classification, introduced in 1988, is awarded to regions that have already achieved DO status and have proved their quality credentials over a period of at least 10 years. Wines classified DOCa or DOQ must be bottled within the region and a high standard of regional quality control is required. To date there are two regions within this category: Rioja graduated in 1991 and Priorat followed in 2000.

Denominación de Origen (DO), Denominació d’Origen in Catalan
This is the most familiar of the Spanish wine classifications. It was created in the 1920s – the first DO region to emerge was Rioja in 1926 – and it now applies to around 70 areas or regions across Spain.
A region with DO status is governed by a local regulatory council or consejo regulador. The role of the consejo regulador is to stipulate and regulate aspects such as grape varieties, yield per hectare, harvesting methods, production methods, barrel and bottle ageing, approval of individual wines and vintage ratings. The consejo regulador typically gives its seal of approval on back labels.
The wines of a DO can only come from the vineyards which are classified for DO production within its borders. A region is generally elevated to DO status after successfully completing around five years under the VCIG classification.

Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG)
This rung, the stepping stone to DO, was also introduced in 2003. As the name implies, it was created to link wines closely to their geographical origin.  Producers working under this classification are governed by an órgano de gestión regulatory body.
To give a recent example, an area encompassing Salamanca and Zamora graduated from Vino de Calidad de Tierra del Vino de Zamora to DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora in January 2008 (see DOs of Castilla y León).

B: Table wines: flexibility and high commercial value

Vino de la Tierra (Country Wines)
The Vino de la Tierra category, now including over 50 areas, has emerged as an important contemporary development for Spanish wine.
This classification has enabled producers to offer modern Spanish wines from lesser known regions and to position them above Vino de Mesa wines in quality and price.
The flexibility of the classification, especially in terms of the grape varieties permitted (including non-traditional grapes such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot), has attracted maverick winemakers to work under this classification before achieving DO or even DO Pago status.
Significantly Vino de la Tierra producers can source grapes from areas ranging from relatively small areas to entire autonomies – Vino de la Tierra de Castilla (covering large areas of La Mancha) and Vino de la Tierra de Castilla & León are often seen on wine labels in the UK. Producers of Vino de la Tierra wines generally work with higher yields than their DO counterparts.

Vino de Mesa (Table Wines)
This category encompasses all other Spanish wines. Vino de Mesa wines are generally simple, young wines. They can be blended from various regions of the country and the wine’s brand name is usually the main feature on the label. The year of vintage is not necessarily indicated.