Without detriment to the next paragraph, protected wines shall comply with the following general characteristics:
- The minimum alcohol by volume should be 9%.
- Minimum total acidity content expressed as tartaric acid will be minimum 4.5 grams/litre.
- The maximum volatile acidity, expressed as acetic acid will be 0.8 grams/litre.
- The chart below shows the maximum limits of the sulphur dioxide content which cannot be exceeded:
| Type | Maximum Total Sulphur Dioxide (gr./l.) | |
|---|---|---|
| <5gr./l. sugar content | >=5gr./l. sugar content | |
| White wines | 180 | 240 |
| Rosé wines | 180 | 240 |
| Red wines | 140 | 180 |
Depending on the winemaking process, each wine shall have an appropriate colour, clarity, aroma and taste. These characteristics are defined in the Quality Manual.