WINE OF THE WEEK: 2023 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d'Alba 'Dei Grassi'
This week’s wine comes from the rolling hills of the Peidmont region in northwest Italy. This is a beautiful region that is the source of stunning wines. Its most impressive and lauded wine tends to be Barolo (and to a lesser extent, Barbaresco); however, there are many other impressive wines that are made in this region from different grapes.
Our wine of the week highlights a grape from this region that is well loved locally, but perhaps less recognized outside of Italy.
Read on to learn all that you need to know about this wine!
2023 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d’Alba “Dei Grassi”: Wine Review
Before we get going, it is worth noting that this wine might be hard to secure outside of northern Italy, because limited quantities are produced and distribution is not widespread. If you can get your hands on it, you’re one of the lucky ones!
With so many good Italian wines in the market, how does one choose? It can be hard for sure, but knowing where to look is always helpful. In our opinion, you cannot go wrong looking at the hills of Piedmont.
What does this wine cost?
$45 CDN.
What grape variety(ies) are in this wine?
This wine is made from 100% Dolcetto.
Dolcetto is a grape that is native to the Langhe region in Piedmont, Italy. The name of this grape means “little sweet one”, which nicely reflects the structure of the grape and its resultant wines.
Dolcetto is a prized historical reference in this region - it is the wine that was made in large quantities and consumed locally on a daily basis. It is an agreeable wine, perfect for easy drinking.
About Elio Grasso
Situated in the famous area of Monteforte d’Alba, Agricola Elio Grasso is the brainchild of its namesake owner who turned a family farming business into a coveted wine producer.
Considered to have been founded in 1978 when the first bottle of wine bearing the Elio Grasso name was produced, today, the company produces approximately 90,000 bottles/year, with a heavy focus on Nebbiolo-based wines. Elio Grasso is now in his 80s, and the estate is now run by his son Gianluca. It remains family owned and operated.
The focus here first and foremost is on the vineyard. Of the 18 hectares planted to vines on the estate, only 3 hectares are planted to the Dolcetto grape.
Click here to learn more about Azienda Agricola Elio Grasso.
What Makes This Wine Unique
As noted above, this wine is made from the Dolcetto grape. Dolcetto is well regarded within Piedmont, and consumed regularly, however it is lesser known outside of Italy.
It is also unfortunately becoming less popular with vignerons as they look to replace Dolcetto vines with the far more profitable and popular Nebbiolo grape. As a consequence, good Dolcetto-based wines from the Langhe are getting harder and harder to find in international markets.
A few Wine Geek “essential facts” about the wine (feel free to skip this if you don’t care about detailed wine-making information!):
Grape Variety - 100% Dolcetto
Vineyard aspect and altitude - south east facing, 280 metres above sea level
Viticulture - Guyot training, 4500 vines per hectare, manual harvesting
Average vine age = 30 years old
Soils - clay and limestone based
Vinification - 100% in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, with daily pumpovers
Maturation - 100% in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks
ABV - 13.5%
Residual Sugar - 2 g/L
Wineitupanotch Wine Tasting Notes:
A lovely deep ruby in the glass, the aromatics on this wine simply jump out of the glass, encouraging a sigh of relaxation and joy. Imagine aromas of ripe, juicy red and black plums, overripe strawberries, a handful of blueberrries and purple tulips!
On the palate, this wine is very juicy and dense with expressive fruit. Simulataneously, the wine is also light-footed and playful.
There is noteworthy harmony here between fruit, acid and tannins. The overall impression is very beguiling, and a bottle of this wine could easily be polished off quickly without anyone noticing.
Aging potential:
This wine should be consumed immediately for optimal enjoyment.
Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:
This is the perfect wine for pizza, pasta with meat sauce, a mushroom stew or cured meat.
Wineitupanotch Wine Rating: 92 points
This wine gets top marks for its honest and fruity style and obvious high quality. The essence of the wine shines through, unmarred by too many interventions or additive measures.
FINAL VERDICT:
Stylish and quaffable, this wine is sure to be a crowd pleaser! It would make a great reasonably priced gift for the discerning and in-the-know wine lover in your life!
If you’ve tried this wine already, or decide to pick it up and try it after reading this post, we’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop us a line.
Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good wine!……
Cheers…..XOXO
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WINE OF THE WEEK - 2023 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d’Alba “Dei Grassi”