ogliani, in the province of Cuneo, is well known for its winemaking tradition and can claim an ancient foundation for it. The community's most illustrious citizen was Luigi Einaudi, the first president of the Republic of Italy. A good Piedmontese, Einaudi found time despite his official duties, to personally manage his large wine estate, situated in the vicinity of Dogliani.
The town name is derived from Doglia and Lano, which are corruptions of Janus and Giano. A supreme god in the Roman pantheon, Janus was lord of the sky and sunlight and later assumed special powers as protector of the beginning and end of all things. According to legend, Janus when visiting the Langhe region once stopped in Dogliani, and was detained by the excellence of the local wine.
Dolcetto di Dogliani, has appeared on the tables of mere mortals for a long time, including some of the most illustrious. In 1369 the Marquesses of Saluzzo granted the citizens of Dogliani: the right to trade freely, an exemption from taxes, and from the obligation of military service, but they did impose a tax "in wine" to assure that their noble cellars would always be supplied with good Dolcetto.
Dolcetto di Dogliani was specifically mentioned for the first time in the written record in 1593, in a declaration titled "Orders for the Harvest." That document provides official confirmation that Dolcetto grapes had been grown at Dogliani since before the late 16th century.
For the vine dressers of the Langa Doglianese, it is sufficient to know that the history of their wine can be traced back absolutely for 500 years. Reliable historians and researchers still argue that in some areas, the grape was probably grown first around the year 1000.
Although it is best known as a pleasant wine that should be drunk the first spring after the harvest, Dolcetto di Dogliani, if aged for a year in oak barrels, can show the characteristics of a great Piedmontese red. It is complex and austere and a perfect match for high cuisine dishes. For this reason, when aged for no less than 18 months, the wine is called Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore, and enjoys a DOCG appellation.
