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Dolcetto Reigns in Dogliani DOCG

Piemonte is a region famous for Barolo and Barbaresco. But, Nebbiolo, while the king of the grapes, is not the only grape of Piemonte. Dolcetto is an important grape that many times is underestimated as a simple, uninteresting, wine. Well, it is not! And, when it is from Dogliani, a town in the heart of Piemonte, it is definitely worth being noticed! Dolcetto definitely reigns in Dogliani and you can read my story in the Napa Valley Register.

When it comes to Piemonte, Italy, Nebbiolo is king. However, in Dogliani, a small town in the heart of the Langhe in Piemonte, the best vineyards are planted to Dolcetto.

Do not be mistaken. Dolcetto is neither sweet or too light of a red wine. Dolcetto is a black wine grape widely grown in Piemonte that produces a wine that can be tannic and fruity and is almost always dry.

12 July, 2018

Vinchio, Vaglio Serra I Tre Vescovi Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2015 Italian Red Wine

28 June, 2018

Two almost-forgotten grapes of Piemonte

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

Italy is home to more indigenous grape varieties than anywhere else in the world. According to Ian D’Agata’s comprehensive guide, “Native Wine Grapes of Italy,” there are approximately 2,000 indigenous grape varieties in Italy. Of those 2,000, approximately 400 of them are used to make commercial wine.

Twenty of these grapes are grown in Piemonte in the northwest of Italy. The most famous grapes are Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto but it is also home to Cortese (the grape in Gavi) and the sweet wines Moscato and Brachetto. Many of the lesser known grape varieties in Piemonte have been close to extinction.

As in Napa, where many grape varieties were pulled up in order to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, in the Asti region in Piemonte, many grape varieties were decreased to plant more Barbera. But, thanks to some winemakers in Piemonte, some of these lesser known grapes have survived and are beginning to thrive again. Two of these grapes are Freisa and Grignolino. Both red grapes, they produce wines that are high in tannins and acidity. They both are fun to say out loud and even more fun to drink and enjoy with food.

26 June, 2018