Dolceacqua, a wine lover's paradise in western Liguria

 

Dolceacqua is an enchanting borgo perched on a hill of the Nervia Valley, embedded in the westernmost entroterra of the Riviera dei Fiori. The origins of its name are unclear: whatever the pick - a derivation from Latin villa dulciaca, i.e., rural plot belonging to Dulcius, or a word of Celtic roots - this is one of the most authentic representations of the Mediterranean spirit between Liguria and Provence.

Dolceacqua was awarded the Orange Flag of TCI. It stands amidst the clear waters of the Nervia stream, a dream in stone, skillfully embedding houses, a castle, and a bridge – in short, the archetypical borgo. Its history is linked to the vicissitudes of the Doria household, who ruled the place. The medieval hunchback bridge was defined as a "jewel of lightness" by Claude Monet, who fell in love with the Riviera and dedicated several paintings to the highlights of Dolceacqua. The village was also the birthplace of Mario Raimondo, one of Pablo Picasso's disciples. 

 

Local traditions display the curiosity of michetta, a dessert that features a De.Co. (Denominazione Comunale). Flour, eggs, sugar and oil are the ingredients of this simple treat, whose legendary origins date back to a tale of Jus Primae Noctis.
Last but not least, the renown of the borgo is due to Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC, one of the stars of regional enology. Appreciated by the big shots of the past (from admiral Andrea Doria to Napoleon), this interesting red wine features an intriguing personality. 

My English abstract of the article published in Liguria Food

Luisa Puppo 

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