Dolcetto D'Alba DOC, Barbera D'Asti DOCG Flashcards
Still Red wines of N. Italy
What is the traditional everyday red wine of Piemonte?
Dolcetto. It is produced across most of the region.
Where are the strongholds for Dolcetto?
The hills of Langhe and Monferrato.
Which is Piemonte’s largest Dolcetto appellation by volume?
Dolcetto D’Alba DOC.
Where is Dolcetto D’Alba located?
In the northern part of the wine district of Langhe. It overlaps the growing areas of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Why is Dolcetto preferred in Langhe?
It has the ability to thrive in cooler and less ideal sites where Nebbiolo and Barbera could not ripen successfully.
What does Dolcetto translate as?
“Little sweet one”. It refers to the grapes, not the wine, as, when fully ripe, they can be eaten as table grapes as they are generally have moderate acidity and delicious sweetness.
What is Dolcetto D’Alba DOC wine made from?
100% Dolcetto.
How long must Dolcetto labelled “Superiore” age for?
At least one year of ageing.
What styles of Dolcetto are produced?
Mostly for early drinking but bigger, structured, oak-aged styles are produced.
Why is Dolcetto important for growers in the region?
It can be made and sold early to finance the longer ageing wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco.
Which two other Dolcetto DOCGs are notable?
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG and Dogliani DOCG.
What makes Dolcetto D’Alba DOC wine special?
It makes deeply coloured, soft, succulent, mouthfilling wines with fragrant, vinous aromas and a signature bittersweet finish.
What is the character of Dolcetto D’Alba DOC wine?
Body: Medium to full bodied;
Acidity: Moderate;
ABV: Medium;
Tannin: Fairly tannic.
What are the common descriptors for Dolcetto D’Alba wine?
Cherry, damson plum, grape, almond, licorice.
Where is Barbera D’Asti DOCG located? How large is it?
A large part of the hills in Monferrato around Asti. It is the second largest appellation in Piemonte by volume and size.
Which grape takes best sites in Langhe hills?
Nebbiolo is the primary focus. Barbera is secondary.
Which grape takes the best sites in Monferrato hills?
Barbera.
Which grape is the most widely planted in Piemonte?
Barbera.
Why is Barbera prized in Piemonte?
Its versatility allows for a wide range of styles to be produced, from light and fruity everyday wines to structured, serious oak aged bottlings.
What is Barbera wine made from?
Must be at least 90% Barbera but most are made with 100%.
How does Barbera D’Asti Superiore wine differ from Barbera DOCG wine?
Superiore is made from riper grapes and must be aged for a minimum of 14 months, including six months in oak.
What is the character of Barbera D’Asti wine?
Body: Light to full bodied;
Acidity: Very high;
ABV: Medium to high;
Tannin: Low to moderate.
What descriptors are common for Barbera wines?
Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, underbrush, mineral.
Oaked versions show vanilla, chocolate and sweet spices.
What technique did Barbera D’Asti pioneer?
Ageing the wines in new oak showcasing the grapes affinity for maturation in wood.
What makes Barbera D’Asti special?
It embodies the archetypical expression of Barbera - crisp acidity, deep colour, soft tannins and bright cherry fruit.
What other Barbera DOC/DOCGs are there in Piemonte?
Barbera D’Alba DOC;
Barbera del Monferrato DOC;
Barbera Del Monferrato Superiore DOCG;
Nizza DOCG (formerly a part of Barbera D’Asti DOCG)
