From a propitious, pebble and slate strewn vineyard in the illustrious Polish Hill River precincts of Valley Clare, Dolcetto blooms beautifully under the warming days and continental climes. Unico Zelo take a decidely Al Fresco approach, creating a style that's enticingly perfumed, animate and enthusiastic as a youthful wine, fruit forward yet juicily dry, just perfect to accompany relaxed cuisine. Brimming with bouquets of bright maraschino, red apples, glace and plum, its delicate fruit and svelte tannin structure are revitalized by a line of tangy, cherry rhubarb acidity.

And how popular are we? A refreshing red blend demonstrating the affinity between the fruity Dolcetto and a Rhonesque handling of Shiraz. Warburn Estate has created a fashionable Cuvee that's just so quaffable, immediately approachable and handsomely flavoured. Everyone seems to love this distinctive wine, it exhibits dashing plum and chocolate bouquets, and descends onto the palate with characters of fruit cake, ribena and spice. Perfect on summer nights and relaxed luncheons, it really comes into it's own with your favourite foods.

From the King Valley in Victoria's high country, a good deal of pruning and thinning of Syrah and Dolcetto vines, together with some hand picking and selection of fruit. Cane cutting techniques have shrivelled the berries, concentrating the sugars and bittersweet grape tannins, whilst still on the vine. A wine of explosive Dolcetto characters with flavours akin to the shed dried styles of Italy's Veneto region, De Bortoli have achieved, an exciting fresh red, fully Euro in styling with the emphasis on fruit, suppleness and food friendliness.

The key to the enduring succes of Prunotto has been selection of site, the vineyards themselves have always been central to the quality of wine. Dolcetto means little sweetie, named for its fruitiness, it makes a structured wine of dimensional savouryness and judicious tannins when grown to the bucolic surrounds of Alba. An assemblage of fruit picked off elite vineyards in the ancient townships of Treiso and Barbaresco, Alba and Monforte d’Alba, a mouth filling red wine with substantive palate to match mushroom and meatball recipes, grills or braised game.

Situated among some of the most picturesque vineyard country, Longview's salubrious southerly vistas are leading the charge of contemporarily styled Adelaide Hills reds, drawing international critical acclaim and a swag of awards. Longview make wine the way nature intended, as an expresssion of the soil and season in which they are cast. Nebbiolo in the Vino Novello style, redolent of fragrant florals and fashioned for early drinking, the perfect suitor to rosemary lamb, duck breast in berry jus or Italian style sheperd's pie with oven dried tomatoes and basil eggplant. Yum.

Grant Burge knows the Barossa well, a long history working with the region's finest growers ensures that his team can access the choicest fruit to create the most desirable wines. Enter Dolcetto, one of the most exciting and flavourful Italian varietals. Dolcetto makes luscious, chewy wines with characteristic black cherry, prune and licorice flavours. Grant Burge fine tunes Dolcetto to a wonderful contemporary styling, a pleasantly petulant light red that's irresistible when served chilled alongside salt and pepper squid, pizza and tapas or Al fresco.

Shiraz and Grenache are erstwhile mates which are often paired for fashioning into a well structured, Rhone styled red. Gapsted retain some of the finest Dolcetto vineyards in Australia, the name of the grape is Italian for sweet, it makes a delicious match with Shiraz and Grenache, textural, seamless and soft, with a titillating sprinkle of spice. An amazing refresher when served slightly chilled, revitalizing as aperitif, the red wine of choice to accompany pork fennel sausages and applesauce, mozzarella lasagne or mushroom gruyere pie.

Dolcetto is a unique Italian grape which hails from the mountain sides of Piedmont. Grown to high country Victorian vineyards by the Brown Brothers, it's establishing a following beyond all expectations. Blended with Syrah and served slightly chilled, it makes a sensational, slightly spritzy aperitif and all occasion refresher. A versatile partner to a wide range of foods including paella or cajun fish, this lively wine offers a generous palate with ripe summer berry characters, a savvy touch of residual sweetness and delightful frizzante finish.