superiore

Superiore is an Italian adjective meaning higher or superior and appears in various contexts. In the context of Italian wine labeling, it designates a higher-quality or more mature version of a wine than the standard version. The designation is regulated at the regional level within Italy's Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) frameworks, and its exact meaning varies by region.

Typically, wines labeled as 'X Superiore' must meet stricter production rules than the base wine, commonly including a higher minimum alcohol level and longer aging requirements, as well as possible changes to yields or sourcing. The specific criteria differ between regions and wine traditions, so the presence of 'Superiore' does not imply a uniform standard across all Italian wines. The designation is usually used with the region name (for example, 'Chianti Superiore') to indicate the specialized quality tier within that region's DOC/DOCG rules.

Beyond wines, the term superiore is also used more generally in Italian commerce to indicate premium or higher-grade products, although outside wine its exact criteria are not standardized. In all cases, whether referring to wine or other goods, superiore signals a step up in quality relative to the ordinary version.