Red

Dolcetto d'Alba

By Barberis, Langhe, Piemonte, Italy

Barberis Dolcetto d'Alba

Dolcetto from Cortemilia terraces, a Slow Food Presidium since 2016 per the producer. 13% vol.

Tasting notes

Ruby red with violet reflections. Cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of black pepper. Juicy and fresh with well-integrated tannins; a savoury finish with the typical bitter almond note.

Pairs well with

Excellent with cured meats and medium-aged cheeses from any region. In Piedmont: tajarin with ragù, agnolotti del plin, mushroom risotto, Bra sausage. In Italy: spaghetti with tomato, legume soup, minestrone, breaded steak. Worldwide: Cantonese rice, chicken curry, pork and vegetable empanadas.

Technical details

Style
Red
Denomination
Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
Grape
Dolcetto 100%
Production area
Cortemilia (CN), about 300 m above sea level; terraced vineyards of the Val Bormida
Soil
Calcareous-marly
Exposure
South-east
Harvest
Third ten days of September, hand-picked
Vineyard planting
Guyot (simple counter-espalier), 4,000 vines/ha; some vines over a century old alongside younger ones; planted 1972 (per the web page)
Vinification
Soft destemming and crushing that leaves the berries whole; 6-7 days of fermentation at controlled temperature. Racking, clarification and 2-3 rackings, then 6-8 months in steel with weekly bâtonnages and 12-18 months in bottle before release.
Serving temperature
14-16 °C

More from Barberis