The cultivation zone of Dolcetto extends from the hill system beginning on the right orographic bank of the Belbo torrent, near Nizza Monferrato, up to approximately 400 metres in altitude.
For Dolcetto, low-fertility soils and intermediate exposures, not excessively sun-drenched, are generally chosen in order to avoid severe water stress, to which the variety is sensitive.
The relatively loose calcareous-marly soils, more common in the higher parts of the appellation zone, are considered optimal for the cultivation of Dolcetto.
Human factors
The vine is trained on a counter-trellis (controspalliera) system, which allows the rows to intercept sunlight to best effect, with traditional Guyot pruning.
The earliest documented record of Dolcetto cultivation in the Asti area dates to the first decade of the sixteenth century, when Giovan Giorgio Allione of Asti cited the 'Dosset de Mongardin' in a comedy.
In 1613, Guglielmo Prato, an apothecary from Asti, described the 'Dosseti' in a treatise as a round and gentle wine, of very deep colour and flavoursome, with little or no greenness.
Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.
About this boundary
Area: the official production zone published by the regional geoportal (Piemonte).
Open Wine Map