🏷️ Superiore
An Italian label for wine slightly stronger or aged longer than the standard one from the same area.
Superiore is an Italian label term. It means the wine is slightly stronger or aged longer than the ordinary wine of the same area. The word comes from Italian "superiore", meaning "higher". But it is not a quality rating; it is a refinement of the production rules.
Usually such wine has 0.5–1% more alcohol than the base version, and sometimes it is aged longer. Exact requirements depend on the appellation: each area has its own rules, with different conditions. So the word "Superiore" does not mean the same thing everywhere.
The term belongs to the classification of Italian wines, alongside other words on the label: "Classico", which points to the historic central area, and "Riserva", meaning wine with longer ageing. All of them belong to Italian wine. For a buyer "Superiore" is a hint that the wine is a bit fuller than usual, but to know for sure, check the rules of the particular appellation.
Links
- Part of
- 🏷️ Wine classifications
- Where it applies
- 🗺️ Italian wine
- Similar and different
- 🏷️ Classico, 🏷️ Riserva
Frequently asked questions
What does "Superiore" mean on a wine label?
That the wine is slightly stronger or aged longer than the ordinary wine of the same area.
Does Superiore mean better quality?
Not necessarily: it refines the production rules and is not a guarantee of quality.
Is "Superiore" the same everywhere?
No, the requirements depend on the particular appellation.
Similar
🏷️ Riserva · 🏷️ Classico · 🏷️ American Viticultural Area · 🏷️ Vintners Quality Alliance · 🏷️ Wine of Origin · 🏷️ Geographical indication (Australia)
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.