In 1716, an edict issued by Cosimo III de Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, established the first legal use of Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC). This landmark decree marked the formal recognition and regulation of specific wine regions in Italy, laying the groundwork for modern appellation systems. Cosimo III’s edict defined and protected the boundaries of four prestigious wine-producing areas: Chianti, Pomino, Carmignano, and Val d’Arno di Sopra.
The 1716 edict was groundbreaking as it set quality standards and delineated the geographic boundaries for these regions, ensuring that wines labeled with these names adhered to certain production practices and originated from the specified areas. This early form of DOC aimed to protect the reputation of these wines and prevent fraud by ensuring authenticity and maintaining consistent quality. The principles established by Cosimo III’s decree have since evolved and been adopted worldwide, influencing contemporary appellation systems that regulate and safeguard the names and qualities of wines from designated regions.