# L'Alto (2023)

- **Producer:** Paolo Conterno
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Dolcetto
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €17
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, herbaceous, spice, licorice, violet

## About this wine

L'Alto is a 2023 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC from Paolo Conterno, a family winery with a legacy dating back to 1886. Produced in the Piedmont region of Italy, specifically from Monforte d'Alba, this wine is a 100% Dolcetto. The estate's vineyards are located at an elevation of 450-500 meters, on clayey and calcareous soils, with vines averaging 30-32 years old and a south-facing exposure. The winery's philosophy emphasizes tradition and terroir expression, with L'Alto being crafted to highlight the pure characteristics of the Dolcetto grape without oak influence.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are situated at a high elevation of 450-500 meters.
- The estate has been family-run for four generations since 1886.
- Dolcetto d'Alba DOC was established in 1974.
- Vine age for L'Alto averages 30-32 years.

## Food pairing

The wine's fresh acidity and medium body cut through richer dishes, while its fruit-forward profile complements savory flavors. The pleasant, slightly biting tannins provide a good counterpoint to proteins and fats.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for L'Alto begins with hand-harvesting the Dolcetto grapes in late September. The fruit is immediately crushed and destemmed, followed by a 7-8 day maceration period on the skins. Fermentation occurs in tanks, and the wine is intentionally aged without oak, typically in stainless steel. It is bottled in the late spring after the vintage to capture its optimal balance and freshness, emphasizing the pure expression of the Dolcetto grape.