Vitis vinifera Dolcetto - Grape vine

The 'Dolcetto' Vine is a red grape variety from Piedmont, Italy. The vine is of medium vigour and high, but irregular, productivity. This wine grape produces medium-sized, fairly compact clusters. The berries have thick skin and melting pulp. Dolcetto produces intensely coloured, fruity, low tannin wines, moderately alcoholic and moderately acidic, which should be consumed fairly quickly. Harvest takes place in the middle of the season, 3 weeks after Chasselas. It is a hardy vine, resistant to winter and spring frosts. It is susceptible to chlorosis, mildew, and powdery mildew, but not grey rot.

The wine grape vine (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago. Many hybrids were created to vary colours, flavours, and uses. The 'Dolcetto' Vine extends in the Langhe hills, particularly in Dogliani, south of the Barolo region, in Piedmont. Two theories are possible regarding its origin: it could be native to France and introduced to Monferrato in the 11th century. Or, according to a competing theory, the grape would be native to the Piedmontese village of Dogliani. Along with the French grape Chatus, Dolcetto is a parent grape of several Piedmontese varieties, including Valentino nero, Passus, and San Martino.

A vigorous climbing shrub, the 'Dolcetto' vine can reach up to 5 m. Its final shape will depend on the pruning practised. The vine attaches itself to its support (trellis, espalier...) thanks to its tendrils and likes sunny situations. It has a semi-erect to erect habit. It is advisable to train it on wire and trellis it well. It is indifferent to the nature of the soil and undemanding, but it prefers clay-limestone soils. It will require careful pruning.
Its cut foliage is dark green in summer and the edges of its leaves turn red in autumn.
Its cluster flowering occurs in May, with very small white-pink flowers.
Its grapes are gathered in medium-sized, elongated, fairly compact clusters. The small, richly coloured berries are spherical, with thick, black-blue skin with abundant bloom. The pulp is melting. When vinified, the 'Dolcetto' grape develops a deep colour and a moderately intense bouquet with easily identifiable notes of black fruits (blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants). The taste is always relatively sweet and fruity, with low acidity and civilized tannins. The name Dolcetto alludes to the relatively moderate acidity of the wines, and not to their sweetness since they are in no way sweet wines. The grape is easy and ripens up to four weeks earlier than Barbera and Nebbiolo. That's why it is cultivated in many places in Piedmont.

The 'Dolcetto' grape is consumed as wine, after vinification.