Supérieur/Superiore
Supérieur/Superiore meaning on wine labels
Supérieur (French) and Superiore (Italian) are additional label terms used only where a particular denomination’s production specification authorizes them. They are not one shared French-Italian classification and do not guarantee a universal alcohol increase, aging period, production method, or position below a reserve tier. Depending on the denomination, the additional rules may address yield, grape maturity, minimum alcohol, maturation, geography, or other production conditions. Bordeaux Supérieur and Chianti Superiore, for example, belong to their own respective specifications. Chianti Classico is a separate Italian denomination and expressly prohibits adding superiore to its name. To interpret either word accurately, read it together with the full appellation and consult that appellation’s current rules.