Dolcetto

Piedmont's "other" grape
Thoughts of Piedmontusually bring images of big tannic Barolos and Barbarescos, but an oft-forgotten everyday variety of the region is Dolcetto. Roughly translated, Dolcetto means "little sweet one." While not exactly "sweet," the wines made from Dolcetto are definitely light and fruity.

Notable Facts
Dolcetto is an early-ripening grape, grown in the Northwest area of Piedmont. It produces wines that are soft and fruity and ready-to-drink when released. The Italians like this wine for everyday drinking because of its soft tannins, ripe fruit, and ability to match with a variety of foods. No cellaring required here and prices are usually quite affordable.

Summing it up
Successful Sites: Piedmont, Other Italy

Common Descriptors: fruity, jammy, cherry, light, soft