Cantine Povero is a family-owned wine producer located in the heart of the Piedmont region of Italy. Established in the early 20th century, the winery has a long-standing tradition of crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the area. They remain committed to quality over quantity, ensuring that each bottle represents the heritage and dedication of the family to the art of winemaking.

Piedmont, located in northwest Italy at the foothills of the Alps, is one of the country’s most prestigious and renowned wine regions. Known for its rolling hills, diverse microclimates, and rich soils, Piedmont offers ideal conditions for growing some of Italy’s most celebrated grape varieties. The region experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, moderated by the nearby Alps and the Tanaro River, which helps reduce frost risk and provides humidity essential for certain grape-growing practices.

Piedmont’s key grape varietals include Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto for reds, and Moscato Bianco and Cortese for whites. Nebbiolo, the star grape, is famous for producing powerful and complex wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, characterised by firm tannins, high acidity, and aromas of cherry, tar, and roses. Barbera offers softer, fruit-forward wines with vibrant acidity, while Dolcetto is known for its approachable, juicy style. Moscato Bianco, used in the production of the sparkling Asti, provides aromatic, sweet wines, and Cortese is the grape behind the crisp, floral Gavi wines.

Viticultural challenges in Piedmont include late spring frosts, which can damage young buds, and the risk of hail, especially during summer storms. The region’s steep vineyard slopes also make mechanisation difficult, necessitating labour-intensive cultivation. Despite these challenges, Piedmont continues to produce world-class wines prized for their elegance and ageing potential.

Dolcetto is a native Italian red grape variety predominantly grown in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Despite its name meaning "little sweet one," Dolcetto produces dry wines known for their soft tannins, deep colour, and vibrant fruit character. It is typically consumed young but can also deliver more structured, age-worthy examples from top vineyard sites.

The key areas for Dolcetto cultivation include Dogliani, Dolcetto d’Alba, and Dolcetto d’Asti, each producing wines with subtle stylistic differences. Dogliani, in particular, is often considered the highest expression of the grape, yielding wines with greater depth and complexity.

Aromatically, Dolcetto is characterised by ripe red and black fruit notes, such as cherry, plum, and blackberry, often accompanied by hints of violets, almonds, liquorice, and a touch of spice. The palate is usually dry with moderate acidity and smooth tannins, making it approachable and food-friendly, especially with Italian cuisine.

Viticulturally, Dolcetto ripens early, which is advantageous in cooler climates, but it can be sensitive to poor weather at flowering and is prone to low yields. It also requires careful vineyard management to avoid overly green or bitter tannins. While not as internationally known as Barbera or Nebbiolo, Dolcetto remains an important part of Piedmont’s winemaking tradition.