Denominação de Origem Controlada Denominação de Origem Controlada The denominação de origem controlada (or DOC) is the system of protected designation of origin for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products from Portugal. Portuguese wine regions, as well as producers of several other products, established this system following Portugal's entry into the European Union in 1986. It is similar to the French "Appellation d'origine contrôlée" (AOC), the Italian "Denominazione di origine controllata" (DOC), and the Spanish "Denominación de Origen" (DO) systems. The DOC system replaced the earlier "Região Demarcada" system of distinguishing Portuguese appellations developed in the early 20th century. In addition to protecting
Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union colonised by the fungus "Penicillium roqueforti" that grows in these caves. This system is similar to appellation systems used throughout the world, such as the "appellation d'origine contrôlée" (AOC) used in France, the "denominazione di origine controllata" (DOC) used in Italy, the "denominação de origem controlada" (DOC) used in Portugal, the "denominación de origen" (DO) system used in Spain and the "Denumire de origine controlată" (DOC) system used in Romania. In many cases, the EU PDO/PGI system works parallel with the system used in the specified country, and in some cases is subordinated to the appellation system that was already