Italianwines-naturally

21/03/2026

Today 21/3 is INTERNATIONAL DOLCETTO DAY.

It's a Wonderful grape to explore, underestimated, versatile and gives you huge value for money. Found mainly in Piemonte and also in Liguria (as Ormeasco) always easy to drink, dark ripe fruitiness is key & low acidity as well. If you are looking for a friendly red thats not to heavvy on the tannins (usually) to go with your antipasti and pastameal, this can be your go to wine. If you like Primitivo and Montepulciano give this a try.

Piedmonte is known for it's heavy duty Barolo and Barbaresco, and to a lesser extent Barbera, however Dolcetto shouldn't be overlooked.

There is the Docg Dogliani and then there are several doc's: Acqui, Alba, Asti, Diano d’Alba, Langhe Monregaslesi, Ovada.

Producers like their Dolcetto since it ripens earlier then their other grapes and it's ready sooner. It usually grows on the higher slopes. If you are looking for more structured ones look for sori on the label, which is a sort of cru.

Taste: Intense nose of blackberry, blackcurrant, white pepper, mint, chocolate, coffee (depending also on if there has been woodaging). Natural wine makers tend to do just steel or cement ripening.

Some winemakers to try:

Roberto Voerzio for serious stuff, Principiano (also for Dolcetto without added sulfites), Cascina Bocaccio, Rocca Rondinaria, Cascina Corte, Forti del Vento, Fabio Gea, Cascina degli Ulivi and many others.

Buon weekend!

27/02/2026

PROJECT TO SAFEGUARD OWN-ROOTED VITICULTURE
Sardegna Mamoiada by Giampaolo Paddeu -message on behalf of him, I visited a year and a half ago.
The own-rooted vine (also known as ungrafted or on its own roots) grows on its natural root system, without being grafted onto the “intruder” American rootstock.
This very rare “direct-root” technique allows the vine to preserve a unique genetic identity, resulting in higher-quality grapes.
It is also considered an agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage that must be protected, due to its extraordinary importance.
The project involves selecting and recovering varietal scions from historic vineyards that are over a hundred years old. These will then be planted once the soil has been properly prepared.
Several years of care and attention will be needed for the vines to grow and reach normal production.
To make all of this possible, significant financial resources, manpower, knowledge, and a great deal of time are required.
For this reason, I kindly ask anyone who wishes to offer even a small financial contribution, which will help support and preserve this type of cultivation.

PROGETTO DI SALVAGUARDIA DELLA VITICOLTURA SU PIEDE FRANCO … Giampaolo Paddeu heeft je hulp nodig voor PROGETTO DI SALVAGUARDIA DELLA VITICOLTURA SU PIEDE FRANCO

25/12/2025

Merry - merrie- Mary? - Christimas:)