What is the difference between PDO and PGI?

PDO (Protected Designation of Origin, DOP in Italian) means that every stage, from the raw material to the finished product, takes place in the stated area and follows a production specification. PGI (Protected Geographical Indication, IGP in Italian) means that at least one stage takes place there and that the product owes its quality or reputation to that place.

What about wines: DOC and DOCG?

In the EU register all Italian DOC and DOCG wines are PDOs, while IGT wines correspond to PGIs. DOCG is the highest Italian classification, with stricter controls, and it is shown on the label.

How do I recognise a PDO or PGI product?

The label carries the registered name and the EU logo: red and yellow for PDO, blue and yellow for PGI. In Italy you will usually see the Italian abbreviations DOP and IGP. The protected name cannot be used by products from other areas or made by a different method.

Food and drink · Sicily

What to eat in Sicily

The dishes to look out for on menus and the products protected by a European designation: 37 PDOs and PGIs, plus 31 wines and the spirits.

37 PDO and PGI products24 PDO wines · 7 PGI

Dishes to try

Arancine and arancini round in Palermo, pointed in Catania: the rivalry is eternal.
Pasta alla Norma from Catania, with fried aubergine and salted ricotta.
Fish couscous from Trapani, an Arab legacy.
Pane e panelle, sfincione Palermo's street food.
Granita and brioche the summer breakfast, in Catania and Messina.
Cannoli and cassata with sheep's milk ricotta.
Nero d'Avola, Etna Rosso, Marsala, Malvasia taste them where they are made.

PDO and PGI products

The official list of products registered in the European Union, under their registered (Italian) names. Tap a name for its production specification and register entry.

Cheese 5

Cured meats and meat 1

Salame S. Angelo PGI

Fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains 20

Extra virgin olive oils 7

Wines

24 designations of origin (DOC and DOCG, “PDO” in the European register) and 7 typical geographical indications (IGT, “PGI”).

DOC and DOCG 24

Alcamo PDO
Cerasuolo di Vittoria PDO
Contea di Sclafani / Valledolmo-Contea di Sclafani PDO
Contessa Entellina PDO
Delia Nivolelli PDO
Eloro PDO
Erice PDO
Etna PDO
Faro PDO
Malvasia delle Lipari PDO
Mamertino / Mamertino di Milazzo PDO
Marsala PDO
Menfi PDO
Monreale PDO
Noto PDO
Pantelleria PDO
Riesi PDO
Salaparuta PDO
Sambuca di Sicilia PDO
Santa Margherita di Belice PDO
Sciacca PDO
Sicilia PDO
Siracusa PDO
Vittoria PDO

IGT 7

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between PDO and PGI?: PDO (Protected Designation of Origin, DOP in Italian) means that every stage, from the raw material to the finished product, takes place in the stated area and follows a production specification. PGI (Protected Geographical Indication, IGP in Italian) means that at least one stage takes place there and that the product owes its quality or reputation to that place.
What about wines: DOC and DOCG?: In the EU register all Italian DOC and DOCG wines are PDOs, while IGT wines correspond to PGIs. DOCG is the highest Italian classification, with stricter controls, and it is shown on the label.
How do I recognise a PDO or PGI product?: The label carries the registered name and the EU logo: red and yellow for PDO, blue and yellow for PGI. In Italy you will usually see the Italian abbreviations DOP and IGP. The protected name cannot be used by products from other areas or made by a different method.

Source: eAmbrosia, the European Commission's register of geographical indications, names registered as of 11 November 2026. Some products are protected in more than one region; TSGs (traditional specialities guaranteed) are not listed, as they are not tied to a territory.

In the other regions

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