ruby red tending to violet. BOUQUET: invitingly winey, varietal nose. TASTE: despite its name, which comes from the sweetness of the grape (“dolce” in Italian means sweet), the wine itself is decidedly dry, moderately crisp, and nicely bitterish. It shows hints of violets, blackberries and cherries.

it can be served throughout a meal, and is at its very best with pasta dishes and fresh cheeses.

climate

the Piedmont wine region has a colder, continental winter climate, and significantly lower rainfall due to the rain shadow effect of the Alps.

soil

the soil is dominantly calcareous marl with some limestone.

vinification

This is a red wine with very long-standing traditions. It is made from dolcetto grapes grown on the hills of La Morra using the classic Guyot vine-training system. The grapes are harvested in middle of September, and are taken to the winery where they are de-stemmed and crushed. The must ferments on the skins for 5-7 days at a controlled temperature, before being drawn off. The wine ages 8-10 months in steel tanks before the bottling.