“Powerful attack of black fruits, lots of freshness, long finish.” You may like this Dolcetto from Piemonte

GD Vajra Monterustico Dogliani (DOCG) 2022, 13% ABV

€24.95 Bradleys

“Powerful attack of black fruits, lots of freshness, long finish.” You may like this!

This organic red from Piemonte is made from 100% Dolcetto. The grape name translates as “little sweet one”, and it is, but the wine is very dry! Quite a contradiction!

It has a deep

ruby colour. Plum and blackberry along with floral notes are found in the vibrant aromas and herbal hints too. On the elegant palate, tart dark fruit flavours pleasantly surprise you. There are velvety tannins and it is lively and fresh right through to the juicy finish.

Very Highly Recommended. Wine Folly suggests pairing it with richer darker meats and vegetable dishes with roasted tomatoes, aubergines and garlic. Sounds good! Serve at about 17 degrees.

Importers Liberty say that Monterustico is an exciting project from the Vaira family (masters of the Langhe), seeking to revitalise Dogliani, a region which, 30 years ago, was more sought after than Barolo. Situated on the southern Langhe hills, about 16 kilometres south of Barolo, it is known to produce outstanding Dolcetto grown on clay/marl soils known as ‘formazioni di Lequio’.

Farmers always need a bit of luck with the weather over the season and the producers got their breaks in May and June when very severe hailstorms luckily “avoided” their vineyards. Warm weather followed and that cooled off in September presenting ideal conditions for the harvest. Following “a neutral ageing in stainless steel, this wine was bottled on April 18th 2023.”

As you may know now, I have relied heavily on VINO in this continuing #OrganicItaly series. The authors, Joe Campanale and Joshua David Stein, say Dolcetto is the third of the Big Three Reds of Piedmont, the others being Nebbiolo and Barbera. “Dolcetto is grown in Alba, Asti and a few other regions but finds its greatest expression in Dogliani….. Dogliani is as dry a wine as it is sweet a grape.”

• This post is part of a series of Italian wines produced by usually small or medium-sized organic wineries made from native grapes. Taking some “guidance” here from the recently published VINO. Mightn’t always net the hat trick but hope to score two from the three each time. I have quite a few lined up but I’m happy to consider any suggestions or help. #OrganicItaly
• See the emerging Organic Italy list here