From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Dolcetto
Taste: This charming Dolcetto d'Alba displays a bouquet of fresh summer fruit with notes of anise and freshly ground black pepper. Its refreshing acidity enhances those flavors of berries and hints of wild herbs, all underscored by a soft background of mineral finesse. Its tannins are silky, without any traces of stemminess or oak. These qualities give the wine a perfect dryness, allowing it to express a unique pomegranate fruit character. A full, rounded finish makes this wine an ideal companion to a number of dishes.
Pairing: Some pairing ideas include dishes like Charoset, sausage, onion pizza, or Taleggio with antipasti. Our other favorite pairings include salumi, sausages, pastas with mushrooms or meat sauces (check out the recipe below) and pizzas. You can also try it with burgers, ribs and roast chicken.
Classic Meat Tortellini With Tomato Sauce
By Samin Nosrat
About. The beguiling charm of the Piedmont region in Italy is reflected in its wines' finesse and distinctive style. One such vintner worth noting is Cantina del Pino, a winery with a rich and storied history dating back to the early 20th century. With a familial legacy steeped in viniculture, Cantina del Pino's 2021 Dolcetto d'Alba is a testament to the wisdom accrued through generations of nurturing the vineyards of Barbaresco.
The family lineage that sustains Cantina del Pino was first established in the 1920s when Renato Vacca's great-grandfather purchased the estate. It was initially bought from the son of Domizio Cavazza, affectionately regarded as the father of Barbaresco. The family maintained the estate by selling the majority of their grapes to Produttori del Barbaresco, a local cooperative where Renato's father, Adriano, was a founding member.
However, Renato Vacca, with a vision of forging an independent identity for the family vineyard, convinced his father in 1987 to produce their own wines. His profound understanding of Barbaresco's sites and soils, accrued from a lifetime immersed in the land, allowed him to cultivate the vineyards to their fullest potential, eschewing harsh chemicals and synthetic fertilizers. Today, this esteemed vineyard is meticulously maintained by Renato's wife, Franca, his father, Adriano, and his cousin Aldo Vacca.
Renato's philosophy for winemaking, seamlessly blending traditional methods with a personal touch, comes to fruition in the 2021 Cantina del Pino Dolcetto d'Alba. This wine's powerful and intense character, juxtaposed with its elegance and refinement, is born from the soft guidance Renato gave his wines. His inclusion of a small percentage of whole clusters is a distinctive signature of this otherwise traditional Dolcetto.
The name Cantina del Pino might mislead some into associating it with Pinot Noir or Grigio, but this estate and its wines have nothing in common with those varietals. Instead, it stands as a proud proprietor f some of the oldest vines in Piedmont, crafting this exceptional Dolcetto, which offers incredible value.
One can discover the art of viticulture in Piedmont by merely observing the vineyards. Dolcetto is a grape that ripens happily just about anywhere, contrasting with the meticulous requirements of the Nebbiolo or Barbera grapes. Dolcetto, meaning "little sweet one," is not a sweet wine as its name suggests but one marked by an amiable character underpinned by berry fruit and occasional but not overpowering tannins.
Dolcetto is the sommelier's secret weapon. It doesn't overwhelm with power or assertiveness; it's structured yet balanced tannins work harmoniously with fresh berry fruits to uplift a meal. It pairs well with various foods, from simple charcuterie to grilled steak. This wine's flavors and aromas of brambly berries, cherries, a hint of spice, and a lift of violets come alive with a light chill, allowing the Dolcetto to reveal its fresh and vibrant personality.
