Dolcetto

This black grape is explained perfectly by its own name, meaning ‘little sweet one’. It produces wines that can be drunk relatively young. This is where its importance really lies, giving Italian winemakers the ability to sell bottles each year when their other varieties such as Barolo or Nebbiolo are still sitting in oak.

The flavours are fruity, and the wines are very fragrant. The low acidity and quite gentle tannins make easy drinking, approachable wines. The better bottles from the appellations Dolcetto d’Ovada and Dolcetto d’Alba can be aged for up to five years and have a more complex and intense finish.