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 · Tuscany

What to eat in Tuscany

The dishes to look out for on menus and the products protected by a European designation: 28 PDOs and PGIs, plus 56 wines.

28 PDO and PGI products51 PDO wines · 5 PGI

Dishes to try

Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro the bread soups of the peasant tradition.
Bistecca alla fiorentina thick, rare, to share between two or three.
Pici thick handmade spaghetti, with aglione garlic sauce or cacio e pepe, around Siena.
Cacciucco Livorno's fish stew, with garlic bread.
Lardo di Colonnata and testaroli from the northern mountains, between the Apuan Alps and the Lunigiana.
Panforte, ricciarelli and cantucci the sweets of Siena and Prato.
Chianti Classico, Brunello, Nobile, Vernaccia wines to taste 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 3

Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane PDO
Pecorino Romano PDO also in other regions
Pecorino Toscano PDO

Cured meats and meat 5

Fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains 9

Castagna del Monte Amiata PGI
Ciliegia di Lari PGI
Fagiolo di Sorana PGI
Farina di castagne della Lunigiana PDO
Farina di Neccio della Garfagnana PDO
Farro della Garfagnana PGI
Fungo di Borgotaro PGI also in other regions
Marrone del Mugello PGI
Marrone di Caprese Michelangelo PDO

Extra virgin olive oils 5

Bread, pasta and sweets 4

Cantuccini Toscani / Cantucci Toscani PGI
Pane Toscano PDO
Panforte di Siena PGI
Ricciarelli di Siena PGI

Vinegars, honey, spices and more 2

Miele della Lunigiana PDO
Zafferano di San Gimignano PDO

Wines

51 designations of origin (DOC and DOCG, “PDO” in the European register) and 5 typical geographical indications (IGT, “PGI”).

DOC and DOCG 51

Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario PDO
Barco Reale di Carmignano PDO
Bianco dell'Empolese PDO
Bianco di Pitigliano PDO
Bolgheri PDO
Bolgheri Sassicaia PDO
Brunello di Montalcino PDO
Candia dei Colli Apuani PDO
Capalbio PDO
Carmignano PDO
Chianti PDO
Chianti Classico PDO
Colli dell'Etruria Centrale PDO
Colline Lucchesi PDO
Cortona PDO
Elba PDO
Elba Aleatico Passito / Aleatico Passito dell'Elba PDO
Grance Senesi PDO
Maremma toscana PDO
Montecarlo PDO
Montecucco PDO
Montecucco Sangiovese PDO
Monteregio di Massa Marittima PDO
Montescudaio PDO
Morellino di Scansano PDO
Moscadello di Montalcino PDO
Orcia PDO
Parrina PDO
Pomino PDO
Rosso di Montalcino PDO
Rosso di Montepulciano PDO
San Gimignano PDO
San Torpè PDO
Sant'Antimo PDO
Sovana PDO
Suvereto PDO
Terratico di Bibbona PDO
Terre di Casole PDO
Terre di Pisa PDO
Val d'Arbia PDO
Val d'Arno di Sopra / Valdarno di Sopra PDO
Val di Cornia PDO
Val di Cornia Rosso / Rosso della Val di Cornia PDO
Valdichiana toscana PDO
Valdinievole PDO
Vernaccia di San Gimignano PDO
Vin Santo del Chianti PDO
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico PDO
Vin Santo di Carmignano PDO
Vin Santo di Montepulciano PDO
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano PDO

IGT 5

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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