DOP
The Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of the European protected designation of origin.
Also: Denominazione di Origine Protetta, Denominación de Origen Protegida, Denominação de Origem Protegida
DOP is the European protected designation of origin written in Italian, Spanish or Portuguese. Italy has more than fifty DOP cheeses, more than any other country, among them Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Pecorino Romano, Taleggio and Fontina. Spain's include Manchego, Idiazabal, Mahón and Torta del Casar, and Portugal's include Serra da Estrela. A DOP cheese must be produced, processed and prepared entirely in its named area to a written specification, and the yellow and red seal is printed on the rind or pack. Each cheese has a consortium that checks the rules and protects the name.