HOT NEW SINGLE VARIETALS - DOLCETTO
If you drink Barolo, try Dolcetto.
Dolcetto is an Italian red grape. And it’s sweet. But psycho.
Its name means, “little sweet one.” But don’t be fooled, Dolcetto sure happens to pack one heck of a punch. Compared to its more expensive cousins, Nebbiolo and Barbera, Dolcetto often gets the short end of the stick. Some people think that Dolcetto is actually sweet, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s almost like the name was meant to be ironic or something, as this dark-skinned Italian grape is loaded with tannins and dark, earthy flavors.
Dolcetto’s lack of popularity is a great thing for you, Thurstqueen, as you can often find delicious Dolcettos at a really affordable price point. If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight pizza wine, look no further than Dolcetto.
Where does Dolcetto Grow?
Dolcetto grows in the Piedmont region in Italy. For those unfamiliar, the Piedmont is home to some of the most prestigious wines in the world. The Piedmont region produces wines like Barolo and Barbaresco from the Nebbiolo grape. You may have heard of Barolo before, but if you haven’t - Barolo is a massive, hugely tannic wine that can age up to 25 years or more. I’ve had Barolos from the 1980s that were still in tact, which is a true testament to the grape’s ability to age well.
There’s one other grape that often shoves Dolcetto out of the spotlight, and that is Barbera, a rustic and fruity grape that has plenty of acidity. Barbera is absolutely delicious and loaded with aromas of strawberries, lavender, and herbs. This wine is super light in body, but the acidity cuts through anything like a knife, making it perfect to pair with fatty dishes. But we’re not here to talk about those two grapes.
If ya wanna know the truth, Dolcetto is probably the grape most Italians are casually drinking.
Dolcetto tends to ripen early - typically two weeks earlier than Nebbiolo and Barbera - and is super easy to grow in the Piedmont region. The grape yields a rich, soft and acidic wine that goes down nice and smooth and is just plain old delicious.
Dolcetto is significantly cheaper than Barbera, Barolo, and Barbaresco and is a super duper easy way to try wines from one of Italy’s most prestigious regions without burning a hole in your wallet.
Dolcetto is a weeknight wine.
Typically, Dolcetto should be enjoyed young.
If you’re looking for an easy-drinking wine to drink within 3 to 5 years of purchasing - or a super chill red to have by the glass at a restaurant - Dolcetto is a stellar option.
What does Dolcetto taste like?
Dolcetto tastes like licorice, plums, walnuts, and black pepper. I tend to get a bit of funkiness and earthiness with it as well. If you’re a fan of Malbec’s soft and luscious texture, Gamay’s lighter body, and the acidity of wines like Grenache, than Dolcetto will be your jam.
What to look for in a good bottle of Dolcetto
If you’re looking for a super nice bottle of Dolcetto, be sure to try to find one that has the abbreviation - D.O.C.G on it. D.O.C.G stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Basically, if a wine has the D.O.C.G abbreviation it means the region making the wine is considered the highest quality level by Italian wine legislation.
If you want to get real specific as to which D.O.C.Gs to look for, try to look for Dolcetto from these three places: Dogliani, Diano D’Alba, and Ovada.
These regions don’t pay attention to other grapes like Barbera and Nebbiolo, so they get to devote all their attention to Dolcetto. What is really important to keep in mind when making good Dolcetto is that there are less berries growing on the vine - or what the wine folk like to say, “lower yields.” These lower yield vines often lead to wines with riper softer and riper tannins.
Some really solid Dolcettos from these DOCGs have a little bit of a marine-like quality to them, so if you’re a fan of wines like Chianti, be sure to purchase Dolcettos from these places. And now, let’s get to the —
PICK OF THE WEEK: Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto di Dogliani 2020 $19.99 @ Mission Wine & Spirits
I used to sell a lot of Luigi Einaudi and to be honest? It was one of my favorite Italian producers. Their Dolcetto di Dogliani is no different. A tremendous value, hailing from a DOCG that focuses heavily on bringing out the best of this plump, rustic little grape, the Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto is a great and inexpensive foray into the world of quality Dolcetto.
This easy-drinking, casual Dolcetto still has plenty going on. Though it’s not going to age as long as its cousin, Nebbiolo, you can still get plenty of traction out of this wine by drinking it within the year.
It’s not short on complexity either. Expect lots of dark floral aromas, like violets kissed with a bit of powdered cocoa. The Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto has loads of funky earthen qualities that play beautifully with those dark florals. On the finish, the scent of bitter almond lingers.
This is a fun, funky wine that’s friendly and a perfect weeknight pizza pairing. It’s meant to be enjoyed - not aged and pontificated upon - and has plenty of charm. The Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto is friendly and accessible enough to be paired with a Cheeseburger, yet can play with something more serious like Osso Buco or a nice juicy steak.
If you typically favor bigger reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir, consider spicing things up and picking up a bottle of Dolcetto. Your wallet and tastebuds will thank you.