The Piedmont region of Italy is home to some of the best wines on the planet. Barolo, the king of wine, and Barbaresco, the queen, can both be complex, compelling wines that demand attention--more attention than is appropriate for a casual nightly meal. Along with the fact that most Barolo and Barbaresco tend to be expensive, most most locals are looking to wines that are simpler but still satisfying and more affordable for everyday drinking.

Barbera and Dolcetto are the red wines that are consumed on a daily basis in Piedmont. Named after the grape varieties, both Barbera and Dolcetto blend bitter and sweet flavors along with an earthiness and tannic structure to the wines. In short, they are terrific everyday food wines.

In our ABC stores we carry a number of top quality Barbera wines. I am particularly fond of the three different single vineyard Barberas from the small family run estate Agostino Pavia. Until recently, however, we were without a single Dolcetto in our portfolio.

Arpatin Dolcetto d'Alba has filled that void. Dolcetto translates from Italian as "little sweet one," but that can be misleading. In the glass the color is that beautiful electric purple color I love in a Dolcetto. The wine has aromas of perfumed red cherries, blackberries, blueberries and licorice. On the palate you will find good acidity, medium tannins and softly bitter red fruit. At $14.99 you can enjoy this fragrant, mid-weight Dolcetto any day of the week. Why not try a bottle tonight?

Paul Quaglini, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinepaulq