Dolcetto d'Alba Terre del Barolo 1976
This 1976 Dolcetto d'Alba is a red wine produced by Terre del Barolo in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Piedmont, which translates to "at the foot of the mountain," is bordered by the Alps and is widely regarded as one of the world's most prestigious wine regions. The landscape is defined by dramatic, steep hills, particularly in the Langhe subregion, where autumn morning fogs frequently roll in to protect the vineyards.
The wine originates from the Dolcetto d'Alba area, a classic zone situated around Alba and the Langhe hills. This area, which received its Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1974, is the traditional home of the Dolcetto grape. In this region, Dolcetto is often cultivated on the very same hillsides as Nebbiolo and Barbera, though typically planted on the slightly less prestigious parcels. It is historically recognized as the everyday red wine of Alba. The wine is classified as a V.Q.P.R.D. and is made exclusively from the Northern Italian Dolcetto grape.
Terre del Barolo was founded in 1958 in Castiglione Falletto, located in the heart of the Barolo zone. It operates as one of the largest cooperatives in the appellation, uniting around 300 members who cultivate over 600 hectares across all eleven Barolo communes. This cooperative model historically provided access to valuable grapes from numerous small winegrowers gathered under a single entity. The broad geographical reach allows Terre del Barolo to work with a diverse mosaic of terroirs, encompassing the distinct environments of La Morra, Serralunga, Monforte d'Alba, and Castiglione Falletto. This 1976 vintage has an alcohol content of 12% and was bottled at the origin by the cooperative winery.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded as this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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