
Bonarda
Learn about Bonarda — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Bonarda is actually a name given to a handful of distinct grape varieties, mainly originating in Italy, but also growing in popularity in Argentina. However, DNA profiling shows that what the Argentine people have named Bonarda, is actually identical to California’s Charbono—and Charbono is actually a grape called Douce Noire from Savoie, a mountainous wine region in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes of eastern France.
In Italy, in Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese and Emilia Romagna’s Colli Piacentini zones, the grape called Bonarda is not Bonarda at all but instead, Croatina. In Novara, Bonarda Novarese, used to ease the tannins of Spanna (Nebbiolo), is actually Uva Rara.
Tasting Notes for Bonarda
Bonarda is a dry red wine, in all of its iterations. The Argentine wine called Bonarda is typically linear, somewhat complex and loaded with black fruit. California Charbono has a beautifully concentrated deep magenta color and presents lively and juicy red fruit, spice and a pleasant grip in the finish. The wines labeled as Bonarda from Oltrepò Pavese are spicy, medium to light bodied and full of both red and black fruit.
Perfect Food Pairings for Bonarda
Try Bonarda with grilled salmon, seared ahi, teriyaki chicken, pork loin and vegetarian stuffed peppers.
Sommelier Secrets for Bonarda
Bonarda Piemontese, an aromatic variety, is the only true Bonarda. Before phylloxera, it covered 30% of Piedmontese vineyard acreage.
- Pinot Noir1970
- Cabernet Sauvignon1830
- Other Red Blends1541
- Syrah/Shiraz1194
- Bordeaux Red Blends1057
- Rhône Blends792
- Sangiovese674
- Merlot634
- Nebbiolo526
- Zinfandel518
- Tempranillo443
- Other Red Wine313
- Malbec207
- Cabernet Franc172
- Barbera171
- Petite Sirah165
- Grenache145
- Tuscan Blends84
- Gamay51
- Pinotage49
- Carmenere46
- Mourvedre45
- Dolcetto42
- Primitivo42
- Montepulciano38
- Aglianico37
- Nero d'Avola35
- Sagrantino28
- Blaufrankisch23
- Petit Verdot19
- Mencia17
- Lagrein14
- Carignan13
- Negroamaro11
- Bonarda11
- Touriga Nacional10
- St. Laurent10
- Teroldego9
- Refosco7
- Zweigelt6
- Tannat4
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Lambrusco1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Baga1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Mondeuse1
- Nerello Mascalese1
- Trousseau1
-
Robert Foley Vineyards Charbono 2007Bonarda from Napa Valley, California
-
Bodega Enosur Prometida Bonarda Classico 2007Bonarda from Mendoza, Argentina
-
August Briggs Frediani Vineyard Charbono 2007Bonarda from Napa Valley, California
-
Artezin Charbono 2007Bonarda from Napa Valley, California
-
Valle de la Puerta La Puerta Reserva Bonarda 2007Bonarda from Argentina
-
Sur de los Andes Reserva Bonarda 2007Bonarda from Mendoza, Argentina
-
Finca Las Moras Bonarda 2007Bonarda from San Juan, Argentina
-
Turley Tofanelli Vineyard Charbono 2007Bonarda from Napa Valley, California
-
Colonia Las Liebres Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda 2007Bonarda from Mendoza, Argentina
-
Vermeil Wines Frediani Vineyard Charbono 2007Bonarda from Napa Valley, California
-
Tenuta Mazzolino Oltrepo Pavese Bonarda 2007Bonarda from Lombardy, Italy