Wine Grape: Bonarda
Bonarda is an ancient red wine grape from Italy's Piedmont region. It gets confusing talking about Bonarda, because 3 or 4 distinct grape varieties go by the name. The true Bonarda, Bonarda Piemontese, is actually the least cultivated. It was once widely planted in Piedmont, but is becoming more and more rare there. Most of the 'Bonarda' in Italy is really Croatina or Uva Rara.
The wine grape called Bonarda Novarese is really Uva Rara, and is planted in the Novara and Vercelli hills of Piedmont, and in the Oltrepò Pavese.
In Emilia Romagna, there's a good deal of 'Bonarda' that goes into varietal wines and the popular Gutturnio of the Colli Piacentini DOC. But most of this is really Croatina.
There is a grape called Bonarda in Argentina too, but it hasn't yet been determined if it's the same variety. If tests show it truly is Bonarda, then Argentina has more of it planted than Italy.
The name Bonarda likely comes from the Italian buono, or 'good', thanks to the grape's sweet flavor. In fact, Bonarda is often consumed as a table grape.
Synonyms
Also known as Balsamina, Bonarda dell'Astigiano, Bonarda di Chieri, Bonarda di Gattinara, Bonarda del Monferrato, Bonarda Piemontese
Where
Argentina
Italy: Emilia Romagna, Piedmont
Principal Wines
Italy: Emilia-Romagna: Colli di Parma DOC, Colli Piacentini DOC; Piedmont: Canavese DOC, Collina Torinese DOC, Colli Tortonesi DOC, Coste della Sesia DOC, Monferrato DOC, Piemonte DOC, Pinerolese DOC
Characteristics
Color: Dark ruby red with purple hues
Nose: Vinous, Fruity (red berries, strawberry), Floral (violet)
Palate: Medium body with crisp acidity balanced with medium alcohol and softness. Low in tannins. Often a pleasantly bitter finish
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