s long ago as 1924, experts had distinguished four types of Dolcetto. In the following decades, it has been determined that there are seven different types.Among them, the Dolcetto di Ovada was recognized as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata wine in 1972.
The production zone of Dolcetto di Ovada, which extends along the course of the river Orba, is a grape-growing district situated in the southern part of the province of Alessandria. The prevalently hilly district includes 22 communities with Ovada at the center. In the past, the river Orba was considered the extreme eastern limit of the cultivation of Dolcetto grapes.
According to some experts the Dolcetto grape originated in France but it is more probable that the variety first appeared in the Monferrato around the year 1000 and that its systematic cultivation began in the late Middle Ages. The variety quickly spread throughout the Monferrato and into the western part of Liguria, the Oltrepò Pavese and parts of the areas around Milan and Piacenza. Although its origins might, therefore, be quite ancient, the variety was first authoritatively mentioned by Count Nuvolone in his Istruzione, published in the late 18th century. The book provides information on a wine known as "Dosset'' and on its production area.
