Dolcetto
Dolcetto is a red wine grape best known in the Piedmont region in Italy, with smaller plantings elsewhere. The Dolcetto grape ripens early and produces wines with profoundly deep color and light acidity. Its name means “little sweet one” in Italian, but this is something of a misnomer, as most Dolcetto wines are bone dry and moderately tannic. Common synonyms of Dolcetto include Nera Dolce and Ormeasco.
Its pronounced tannins can be mitigated somewhat by a shorter fermentation time, though they remain a significant characteristic of Dolcetto wine. The name may derive from the wine’s low acidity, when compared with fellow Piedmont grape Barbera the Dolcetto may taste sweet.
Dolcetto wine is rich, round, soft and fruity. It nearly always has a deep ruby and purple color and intriguing aromatics of blackberry, plum and spice. On the palate, Dolcetto has distinctive flavors of licorice, blackberry and almond.
Its spiritual home is Piedmont, but Dolcetto is considered the lowest in a tier of three local red grapes. Many Piedmont producers grow Dolcetto in addition to the more celebrated varieties: Barbera and Nebbiolo. The latter is the grape responsible for Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy’s finest wines.
While Dolcetto does not match the prestige of either Barbera or Nebbiolo, it presents numerous benefits to the grower. The grape ripens sooner, is relatively easier to cultivate and by producing Dolcetto, the producer has a product that can be brought to market considerably sooner than wines made from Barbera or Nebbiolo. This early opportunity to sell offers financial security to support winery operations during the long ageing periods required for traditional Barbera or Nebbiolo. Additionally, thanks to their typically accessible price tags, it also offers consumers the opportunity to drink wines from the Piemonte region without breaking the bank.
Dolcetto is also relatively hardy and will ripen on lesser vineyard sites where Barbera and Nebbiolo would struggle. It is susceptible to fungal disease in the vineyard, but otherwise cultivating Dolcetto is a relatively easy prospect for the winegrower. Things get a little trickier in the winery, as steps need to be taken to address the grape’s naturally high tannin.
Dolcetto is grown almost exclusively in Piedmont and covers a few distinct Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) designations. Dolcetto d’Alba and Dolcetto d’Asti produce some of the best quality expressions of the grape, while Dolcetto di Dogliani (or just Dogliani or Dogliani Superiore) produces more age-worthy and complex examples. Outside of Piedmont, Dolcetto is also cultivated in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Searching for the top-rated Dolcetto wines has never been easier, using the online Buying Guide provided by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Our expert tasters offer insights into the best, most popular bottles to help you pick the best option for your next dinner or date night.
-
Sandrone 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba
PiedmontThe Dolcetto is as dark as night and stains the glass with ...See Full Review$30 -
Bel Colle 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba
PiedmontThis wine is a pleasure. Its fresh and uncomplicated nature of upfront ...Best BuySee Full Review$15 -
Massolino 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba
PiedmontSour plums and boysenberries set the stage for this vivacious Dolcetto on ...See Full Review$24 -
Elvio Cogno 2021 Mandorlo (Dolcetto d'Alba)
PiedmontLoaded with tart blueberry and blackberry aromas, this Dolcetto is full of ...See Full Review$25 -
Ghëddo 2020 Dolcetto d'Alba
PiedmontThe solidly built Dolcetto opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, currants, fresh ...See Full Review$29 -
Luca Bosio 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba
PiedmontBright and forward the red fruit-ladened Dolcetto is as easy as it ...Best BuySee Full Review$15 -
Scheid 2019 Riverview Vineyard Dolcetto (Monterey)
Central CoastThis is a delightfully unique take on Dolcetto, a playful grape that's ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$36 -
Meeker 2020 Paradise Canyon Farm Dolcetto (Mendocino)
Mendocino CountyDecadent aromas of ripe red and black plum, blackberry jam, boysenberries, black ...See Full Review$42 -
Grevino 2018 Dolcetto (Santa Maria Valley)
Central CoastBlistered red-plum aromas are a bit tart on the nose of this ...See Full Review$100 -
Bargetto 2019 Regan Vineyards Dolcetto (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastStewed strawberry, rose-oil and crushed asphalt aromas make for a memorable nose ...See Full Review$35 -
Graziano 2016 Enotria Dolcetto (Mendocino County)
Mendocino CountyHandsome oak spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and toast dress up this solidly ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$22 -
Due Vigne 2018 Cinnnamon Hill Vineyard Dolcetto (El Dorado County)
Sierra FoothillsThis fresh-tasting wine overflows with vivid cherries and berries, backing them with ...See Full Review$35 -
Penrose Hill 2021 Wyethia Flame Rosé of Dolcetto (Lodi)
Central ValleySpunky raspberry and red-cherry flavors give a lot of fruitiness and a ...See Full Review$21 -
Whipsmart Wine Company 2020 One Fine Morning Proper Carbonic Dolcetto (Russian River Valley)
SonomaThis wine was 100% whole-cluster fermented via carbonic maceration. Fruity and dry, ...See Full Review$22 -
Via Romano 2019 Dolcetto (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
Sierra FoothillsThis well-rounded, smooth and plummy wine is easy to sip, broad in ...See Full Review$40 -
Via Romano 2018 Dolcetto (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
Sierra FoothillsFresh, concentrated fruits like black cherries and blueberries accompany light accents of ...See Full Review$40 -
Meeker 2020 Hone #3-Hooky Dolcetto (Mendocino)
Mendocino CountyVery fresh and overflowing with fruit flavors, this medium-bodied wine made by ...See Full Review$35 -
Prima Materia 2019 Dolcetto
Lake CountyThis flavorful, smoky and moderately tannic wine offers black-pepper, bell-pepper and charred ...See Full Review$28 -
Mengler Family Wines 2018 Alegria Vineyards Dolcetto (Russian River Valley)
SonomaAged in American oak, 30% of it new, this Cal-Ital tastes of ...See Full Review$45 -
Spangler 2016 Khayam's Block Dolcetto (Umpqua Valley)
Southern OregonDark and aromatic, this is a svelte mix of plum, mocha, briary ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$35
- Italy(319)
- US(137)
- Australia(3)
- 2021(6)
- 2020(4)
- 2019(8)
- 2018(19)
- 2017(6)
- 2016(33)
- 2015(22)
- 2014(12)
- 2013(14)
- 2012(16)
- 2011(13)
- 2010(20)
- 2009(44)
- 2008(36)
- 2007(29)
- 2006(21)
- 2005(25)
- 2004(15)
- 2003(16)
- 2002(17)
- 2001(11)
- 2000(7)
- 1999(6)
- 1998(35)
- 1997(19)
- 1996(4)
- 1995(1)