Roagna Dolcetto d'Alba, Italy

Piemonte is known globally for its wines made from the Nebbiolo grape. The wines from the demarcated areas around Barolo and Barbaresco are world-famous and demand stunning prices from devoted collectors.

But all this acclaim has forced a handful of really great wines to play second fiddle, and they are well deserving of their day in the sun - namely, Barbera and Dolcetto.

Despite it's name, the wine is not at all "Dolce" (sweet). It expresses the classic Italian Red Wine profile that leads with aromas of cherry and dark fruits, seasoned with spice and a hint of fine leather gloves and finishes with a pleasantly bitter note. Its lower alcohol makes it a great every-day wine, and it's likely to be the house wine that appears on your table at any outdoor cafe in Piemonte!

Less showy than it's regal cousin, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto is considered "the farmer's daily wine" (a compliment, in my book!) and it's well paired with cheese and salumi and other picnic fare. This particular wine is often ranked among the top Dolcetto wines by global tasting panels.