Bonarda

Bonarda, or Bonarda Piemontese, is a native Italian red grape variety, known for its dark colour and powerful aromas. Grown in several regions across Italy, it produces wines with bold and juicy notes.

Bonarda grapes have a deep purple colour and a short, cylindrical shape. They have a thick skin and are low in acidity. The wines produced are usually full-bodied and have intense aromas of cherry and spices. On the palate, they offer flavours of ripe red and black fruits, along with notes of tobacco and herbal spices.

Bonarda is widely grown in several regions of Italy, including Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Veneto. It is also grown in Argentina, where it is known as Charbono. Bonarda is a vigorous grape variety, and requires careful canopy management and thinning. usually grown on pergolas and has a good resistance to diseases. The wines produced from Bonarda tend to be aged in stainless steel tanks or partially in oak. They were commonly blended with Nebbiolo in order to reduce its piercing acidity and high tannins. In Piedmont, Bonarda is blended with Nebbiolo and Barbera to produce the "Colline Novaresi" DOC, a full-bodied and structured red wine. Bonarda wines pair well with a wide variety of dishes. They are a great match for roasted meats, game dishes, and hard cheeses. They also pair well with tomato-based pasta dishes and pizza.

Before the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century, Bonarda was speculated to have accounted for 30% of the planting in Piedmont.

Today there are probably less than 200 ha left.