The Bonarda (aka Croatina) grape offers great values in Italy
Looking for a great value in Italian wines? We have got one red grape variety to add to your list: Bonarda. We have pulled our review of wines from this tasty and little-known grape variety from our app’s description.
Bonarda is the local name for the croatina grape in Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna. The croatina variety delivers some attractive wines at good prices. Croatina-based wines offer dark color, gushing fruit, low acidity and soft tannins, resembling, in many cases, montepulciano or dolcetto varieties in expression.
The grape achieves its highest levels of expression in the Oltrepò Pavese (Lombardia) and Colli Piacentini (Emilia-Romagna) DOCs; the Oltrepò Pavese and Colli Piacentini are located right over the border from each other in the southwestern tip of Lombardia and the westernmost portion of Emilia-Romagna..
NB: These wines are not be confused with the uva rara variety, known more specifically as ‘bonarda novarese’ in Piedmont; the uva rara delivers simple, medium-bodied, fruity wines with notes of raspberry and cherry, with good acidity. They are generally basic wines made for everyday consumption.
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