Liguria

DOC (also known just as Dolceacqua) for dry red wine in the eastern part of the wine-growing region of Liguria in Italy. The zone includes the commune of Dolceacqua, from which it takes the name, as well as 14 other communes in the province of Imperia. The vineyards are located close to the French border, at altitudes of up to 600 metres above sea level. The wine has a ruby red colour, and is made from Rossese (minimum of 95%) and optionally from other permitted red varieties (maximum of 5%). If it has an alcohol content of 13% vol it may be called Superiore. Emperor Napoleon (1769–1821) visited the palace of the Doria family in Dolceacqua in 1805, and was enthusiastic about the wine, which was probably still made in a sweet style at the time. He granted the owners permission to use his name for the wine (however little use was made of this).