Dolcetto is an Italian varied tied to the famous region of Piedmont in the northwest of Italy. Because of this, it is unfortunately often overshadowed by the region’s more famous wines: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera. But Dolcetto is a special wine in its own right, and deserves a chance to shine! Not only is it a reliable food wine, but it’s also affordable and easy to drink without the need for cellaring. In this Dolcetto wine guide, we dive into everything you need to know about this Italian grape variety.
Dolcetto wine guide
Dolcetto means ‘little sweet one’ in Italian, but don’t be fooled. This wine isn’t a sweet wine at all but rather an approachable food wine with berry fruit and a hint of tannin. It’s primarily grown in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, particularly around Alba and Dogliani. This grape variety is used to produce a red wine with plenty of fruit and enough tannins to balance richer foods but with not so much weight that it overpowers lighter food. It’s really a wine that is just right.
Origin of Dolcetto
The origins of Dolcetto are contested with some saying it originated in France and was brought to Italy in the 11th century. Others however believe the grape originated in Piedmont. Regardless, Dolcetto remains most popular in the cooler northern regions of Italy. The name actually comes from the Piemontese hills that are named, in dialect, Duzzet.
The flavour profile of Dolcetto
Dolcetto wines tend to be medium-bodied with plenty of juicy fruit flavours, subtle spice and earthy undertones. They usually have black plum and blackberry and a delicate violet note in the aroma. Typically Dolcetto produces wines with medium acidity, which means they are produced to be consumed young and fresh. It usually has low to moderate tannins, making it great for pairing with food but not too overpowering.
Where you’ll find Dolcetto
Dolcetto is mostly planted in Piedmont, the region that is also home to Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera. Although Dolcetto shares a lot in common with Barbera, the beauty of Dolcetto is that it can be consumed young and doesn’t need age. If you’re looking to try Dolcetto from Piedmont, you’ll find Dolcetto d’Alba is a little less ripe than Dolcetto di Dogliani, but this can be a generalization. Although around 98% of the global plantings of Dolcetto are in Italy, you can also find some Dolcetto from cooler sites in Australia (think Mornington, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and King Valley) and the USA.
What to pair with Dolcetto
Dolcetto is a great food wine as it doesn’t overwhelm the palate with power or assertiveness, and its balanced tannins go beautifully with food while the fresh berry fruit perks up a meal.
Food wise you can’t go past pairing Dolcetto with pizza or tomato-based pasta. However, it is often also robust enough to be paired with antipasto or even grilled steak.
Summary: Dolcetto wine guide
I hope this Dolcetto wine guide has shed a light on this lesser-known Italian grape variety that should be on the map. Not only is it great for pairing with food, but it also is perfect for those without a cellar. You can simply purchase a bottle and enjoy it without worrying about aging it!