The EU quality schemes of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) were created to help protect and promote products with particular characteristics linked to their geographical origin.
Wines marked with the PGI logo are genuine products of high quality, not imitations. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) – identifies wines whose quality or reputation is linked to the place or region where it is produced, processed or prepared, although the ingredients used need not necessarily come from that geographical area. All PGI wines must also adhere to a precise set of specifications and may bear the logo. These labels have first been used in 1996, when the first products were registered. Geographical indications are mostly used for spirits and aromatized wines.
Wines marked with the PDO logo are authentic and have the strongest links to the place in which they are made. Protected designation of origin (PDO) – identifies products that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made. Every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region. PDO are mostly used for food, agricultural products and wines. For wines, PDO means that the grapes have to come exclusively from the geographical area where the wine is made.
The EU quality logos of PDO and PGI attest to the specific traditions and qualities of food, agricultural products and wines, aromatized wines and spirit drinks produced in the European Union or in other countries.
The PDO and PGI logos allow consumers to easily recognize traditional quality wines and consumers can rely on product authenticity in terms of regional origin or traditional production.
In Bulgaria, regions that are registered with PGI are two – the Danube plain and the Thracian lowland, while wine with the label PDO come from 54 different towns and villages.
