2023 Dolcetto d'Alba, Fontanazza, Marcarini, Piedmont, Italy

A native black grape variety of Northern Italy grown almost exclusively in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in Piedmont. It is relatively easy to cultivate, although it is susceptible to fungal diseases. It ripens before Barbera and Nebbiolo and is often grown in high north-facing sites which would be unsuitable for Nebbiolo.

Few views in Barolo can compete with the one from Marcarini’s terrace in La Morra. Encompassing most of the region’s communes and vineyards, one only has to look south-east to see Barolo’s modest size, cradled in the Italian Alps. It is fitting that Marcarini occupies this prime location; the winery is built underneath La Morra’s medieval watchtower, a signpost to the Marchetti family cantina that’s visible across the region.