Variety
RedDolcetto
The 'little sweet one' – early ripening, soft in acidity but with a bitter-almond grip in the tannin. The Langhe's everyday wine, ambitious in Dogliani.
Portrait
Dolcetto is a red variety from Piemont and is grown mainly in the Langhe and around Dogliani, Alba and Ovada. The name means "the little sweet one" and refers to the sweetness of the grapes, not the wine, since Dolcetto is made dry. The variety is documented in the region since the Middle Ages.
The vine buds early and ripens early, and is often planted on warmer slopes, while Nebbiolo gets the best south-facing sites. Dolcetto is susceptible to mildew and coulure. The wines are deeply coloured, with low acidity and distinct, slightly bitter tannin and notes of cherry, almond and liquorice.
Dolcetto is mostly drunk young and goes with antipasti, pasta, charcuterie and pizza.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Dolcetto
These 5 aromas typically define Dolcetto. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Black cherry
Plum
Bitter almond
Liquorice
Violet
Dolcetto aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Dolcetto. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Herbal aromas can be finely aromatic (sage) or grassy – a stylistic feature in some varieties, ripeness indicator in others.
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Dolcetto is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Dolcetto
55 curated profiles in our atlas grow Dolcetto.
55 wineries
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera
Bruno Giacosa
Barbaresco · Neive
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio
Barolo · Monchiero
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Cantina Vietti
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis
Comm. G.B. Burlotto
Barolo · Verduno
Nebbiolo, Pelaverga, Barbera
Luciano Sandrone
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Cavallotto
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Roberto Voerzio
Barolo · La Morra
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto