Cavallotto Dolcetto d'Alba Vigna Scot 2021

Cavallotto Winery, established in 1928, is located on the slopes of Bricco Boschis near Castiglione Falletto in the heart of the Barolo zone. This family-owned estate spans 25 hectares and has been cultivating vines for generations. The Cavallotto family, now in its fourth generation with Alfio, Giuseppe, and Laura Cavallotto, continues to vinify all estate-grown grapes into DOC and DOCG wines, including Barolo, Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, and others.

The estate's unique terroir features a mix of calcareous marl and sand, providing ideal conditions for viticulture. Cavallotto is known for its traditional winemaking practices, such as fermenting with indigenous yeasts and aging wines in large Slavonian oak botti. The winery's cellars, excavated from the Bricco Boschis hill, maintain a constant temperature and humidity, which is essential for the maturation of their Barolo and other wines.

Cavallotto's dedication to quality is evident in their extensive aging process and organic viticulture practices. Their wines, particularly the Barolo from the Bricco Boschis Cru, are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. The family's commitment to tradition and innovation ensures that Cavallotto wines remain a benchmark for quality in the Barolo region.

Piedmont, or Piemonte as it's known in Italian, is often hailed as the "Burgundy of Italy" by wine enthusiasts. This esteemed wine-producing region sits in Italy's northwestern corner, nestled at the base of the mountains. Surrounded by France to the west, Valle d'Aosta northwest, Lombardy east, and Liguria south, Piedmont is also home to Turin, its capital and largest city.

A standout feature of Piedmont, much like Veneto, is its rich tapestry of indigenous grape varieties. These varietals create a diverse range of unique and exceptional wines. A key aspect of Piedmont's traditional winemaking is the practice of using single grape varieties, and avoiding blends, which highlights the region's dedication to showcasing individual grape characteristics.

Piedmont's comparison to Burgundy stems from several crucial factors. Firstly, there's a strong emphasis on quality over quantity, with many wineries being small, family-owned, and harmoniously integrated with their natural surroundings. This focus aligns perfectly with the principles of natural wine production.

Secondly, the region adopts a terroir-driven approach to viticulture and winemaking. Vineyards are meticulously divided into cru (or zonazione in Italian), each producing wines with distinct and specific characteristics.

Lastly, the renowned Nebbiolo grape, a staple of Piedmont and globally celebrated, is treated similarly to Burgundy's Pinot Noir. Notably, Nebbiolo wines are never blended.