Regions/Geographical Indications

GIs refer to a product's region or place of origin and are a common feature on wine labels. This is because the area where the grapes are grown can have a defining influence on the style and quality of the wine. A GI is a designated vineyard area within a country. These areas can be very large and cover an entire region (e.g. Bordeaux) or they can be very small covering no more than a single vineyard (e.g. La Romanée in Burgundy). WTO has developed a system that is now used by all mayor wine-producing countries. This system relies on defined boundaries and regional names.