# Garabei (Giovanni Abrigo)

> Red, Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba Superiore DOCG by [Giovanni Abrigo](https://ilvinobello.com/wineries/giovanni-abrigo.md), Langhe, Piemonte, Italy. From Il Vino Bello (https://ilvinobello.com/wines/giovanni-abrigo-garabei).

- **Producer:** Giovanni Abrigo
- **Style:** Red
- **Denomination:** Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba Superiore DOCG
- **Grape:** Dolcetto 100%
- **Cru / vineyard:** Garabei
- **Production area:** Garabei, the estate's oldest parcel, within the Sori dei Crava hillside in Diano d'Alba, planted in 1968, the year the estate was founded.
- **Soil:** Steep, shallow, lean and dry calcareous soil, with layers of compact sand alternating with grey sandstone.
- **Exposure:** South, south-westerly, altitude 350 m a.s.l.
- **Harvest:** First half of September, hand-picked into crates when fully ripe.
- **Vineyard planting:** Espalier vineyards with Guyot pruning, average density about 4,100 vines per hectare; vines over fifty years old, with a mix of rootstocks and clones.
- **Vinification:** Grapes are gently destemmed and the whole berries fermented immediately using a starter of indigenous yeasts prepared a few days before harvest; pumping-over and delestage vary during fermentation, with 9 days of maceration on the skins and soft pressing that keeps only the low-pressure wine. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation follows in steel, with cold tartaric stabilisation over winter. Rests in concrete tanks until the following summer, racked a few times for natural settling, and aged twelve months before release.
- **Serving temperature:** 16-18°C
- **Storage:** Evolves well for five years after harvest and can age beautifully for over ten years in the best vintages.
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-25



## Summary

100% Dolcetto from Garabei, the estate's oldest parcel, planted the year the estate was founded in 1968; the most structured and age-worthy of the Abrigo Dolcetti.

## Tasting notes

Deep ruby red with the typical violet highlights of Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba. Clear aromas of morello cherry and blueberry, fine and elegant with soft, enveloping tannins and a smooth, persistent finish; with age it gains brushwood and earthy notes.

## Food pairings

Aged hams, hard cheeses, filled pasta, grilled vegetables and light main courses.