Ricco Dolce Red

Ricco Dolce Red is a lightly sparkling, sweet Italian red wine bottled at 6.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Candoni De Zan Wines from a blend of 70% Brachetto and 30% Malvasia Rosso grapes grown in northwestern Italy's Piedmont region, this expression earned an 87-point rating from Tastings.com in February 2021, reflecting its well-structured balance of sweetness and acidity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Piedmont, Italy  |  Style: Sweet Sparkling Red  |  Producer: Candoni De Zan Wines

Production & Heritage

Candoni De Zan Wines, also associated with importer Carletto, sources Brachetto and Malvasia Rosso grapes from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy — an area long celebrated for both Brachetto d'Acqui and Moscato d'Asti. After stemming, the grapes undergo cold maceration in stainless steel tanks held at approximately 50°F, preserving the delicate fruit aromatics. The grape must is then stored at a near-freezing 32°F until just before bottling, at which point it is allowed to warm, naturally triggering fermentation. Once the desired alcohol level and gentle effervescence are achieved, fermentation is halted, the wine is filtered, and it is bottled — a technique that locks in fresh fruit character and a subtle, bubbly texture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh red berries — particularly strawberry and raspberry — rise from the glass immediately, followed by soft floral undertones contributed by the Malvasia Rosso component. A hint of ripe nectarine adds a stone-fruit layer beneath the berry-driven top notes.

Taste: The entry is noticeably sweet but never cloying, with bright cherry and strawberry flavors dominating the front palate. At mid-palate a creamy mouthfeel develops, balanced by lively acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy. The gentle effervescence lifts each sip, giving it a refreshing, almost sorbet-like quality.

Finish: The finish is medium-short and seductively fruity, with lingering raspberry and cherry notes that gradually fade into a clean, slightly floral close. A fine bead of bubbles persists through the finish, maintaining brightness to the last moment.

How to Drink Ricco Dolce Red

Serve well chilled, between 38°F and 45°F, to emphasize its refreshing effervescence and fruit purity. It drinks beautifully on its own as a porch sipper or dessert companion. In a Red Sangria, the wine's natural berry sweetness reduces the need for added sugar and contributes a lively sparkle. Try it in a Wine Spritzer topped with soda water and fresh berries for a low-ABV warm-weather drink. It also makes an unconventional but effective base for a Kalimotxo variation, where its sweetness and bubbles balance the bitterness of cola with a fruity twist.

Best For

• Introducing wine newcomers to Italian reds without tannin or high alcohol
• Brunch gatherings as a lower-ABV alternative to mimosas
• Summer entertaining where chilled, easy-drinking wines are needed
• Pairing alongside fruit-forward desserts at dinner parties

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ricco Dolce Red taste like? Ricco Dolce Red delivers bright, sweet flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry with a creamy mouthfeel and gentle effervescence. Balanced acidity prevents the sweetness from becoming heavy, finishing with lingering berry notes and a subtle floral touch.

How does Ricco Dolce Red compare to Brachetto d'Acqui? Both wines feature the Brachetto grape and share a sweet, berry-driven profile with light sparkle, but Brachetto d'Acqui carries DOCG designation with stricter production regulations. Ricco Dolce Red blends in 30% Malvasia Rosso, adding floral softness and a rounder body not typically found in a pure Brachetto d'Acqui.

Is Ricco Dolce Red good for beginners? Its low 6.5% ABV, approachable sweetness, and absence of tannic bitterness make it one of the most beginner-friendly red wines available. The light effervescence and fruit-forward flavor profile appeal to drinkers who find dry reds intimidating.

Where is Ricco Dolce Red made? Ricco Dolce Red is produced by Candoni De Zan Wines using grapes sourced from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Piedmont is renowned for both its bold Barolo and Barbaresco reds and its tradition of aromatic, sweet sparkling wines.

What foods pair well with Ricco Dolce Red? Fresh strawberries and whipped cream mirror the wine's berry character. Creamy cheeses like mascarpone or brie complement its soft mouthfeel. Chocolate-dipped fruit and berry tarts echo its dessert-leaning sweetness. Spicy Asian dishes benefit from the wine's residual sugar, which tempers heat. Prosciutto and melon provide a savory-sweet contrast that highlights the wine's fruity acidity.

What sizes does Ricco Dolce Red come in? Ricco Dolce Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Ricco Dolce Red worth the price? Ricco Dolce Red sits firmly in the value tier of sweet sparkling reds, making it an accessible everyday option rather than a special-occasion splurge. For its category, the blend of two aromatic Piedmontese grapes and the cold-maceration production method deliver quality that justifies its modest price point.

Why Ricco Dolce Red?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sweet reds is its specific two-grape blend — 70% Brachetto for vivid berry fruit and 30% Malvasia Rosso for floral complexity and a rounder palate. The cold-maceration and arrested-fermentation technique preserves a level of fresh fruit intensity that many mass-market sweet reds sacrifice. Its 87-point Tastings.com score confirms that the wine delivers genuine quality within its style category. At just 6.5% ABV with natural effervescence, Ricco Dolce Red occupies a niche that few competitors fill: a sparkling sweet red with real Piedmontese pedigree and enough structure to stand up to food pairing.