Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Pian Balbo occupies a dry, ventilated hilltop at Cascine Drago. Dolcetto has remained on this site since 1969, when it was still a primary source of income for local cellars. The present plantings date from 1970 to 2000. Treated as a cru rather than relegated to scattered, less-favoured vineyard fragments, Pian Balbo is intended to express the character of Dolcetto from the Langhe.
Grapes
100% Dolcetto.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed and crushed. Skin contact lasts 5–7 days at 22–24°C. Malolactic fermentation is completed before winter.
Ageing
The wine matures in stainless steel and is bottled in spring or summer.
Technical data
Alcohol: 12–13% vol. Total acidity: 5–5.5 g/L, expressed as tartaric acid. Dry extract: 24–26 g/L.
Tasting profile
Purple-red with violet edges. The fine nose combines cherry and plum with almond and spice. The palate shows ripe-fruit flavours, fine tannins and pronounced vinosity, giving an approachable, immediately enjoyable expression.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 14–16°C in a medium-sized glass. Particularly suited to Italian pasta and versatile enough to accompany a complete meal.
Label / history
The name Pian Balbo refers to the vineyard’s hilltop position. The account of the grape’s name connects “Dolcetto” with “dosso,” a ridge or hilltop: Dolcetto favours dry, airy sites at the tops of hills, with “dossetto” described as the grape of the ridge before the name evolved into Dolcetto.
