Bonarda Piemontese

Bonarda Piemontese has deep roots in northwestern Italy, with historical records linking it to the Turin and Alessandria regions since the 1790s. Before the phylloxera epidemic devastated European vineyards in the 19th century, it accounted for approximately 30% of all Piedmont plantings. The replanting era that followed largely passed Bonarda by, as growers favored higher-yielding varieties. A modest revival came in the 1990s when winemakers rediscovered its value as a blending component alongside Barbera, giving new relevance to a grape that had become a regional curiosity.

• Historical presence in Piedmont documented since the 1790s, centered around Turin and Alessandria
• Represented approximately 30% of Piedmont vineyard area before phylloxera struck in the 19th century
• Low yields discouraged widespread replanting after the phylloxera recovery period
• Blending with Barbera in the 1990s sparked a modest contemporary revival

Bonarda Piemontese is a vigorous, late-ripening variety with thick, blue-black skins that deliver intense color to the wines it produces. Its original home is along the left bank of the Tanaro River near Govone, though plantings have spread to Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. The variety prefers well-drained soils with a sand and clay mixture, and performs best in a temperate climate with warm days and cool nights. Late ripening demands careful canopy management to ensure full maturity. The variety has moderate disease resistance but shows susceptibility to mildew in damp conditions.

• Vigorous vines with thick, blue-black skins; a late-ripening variety requiring attentive canopy management
• Prefers well-drained soils with a sand and clay mixture in a temperate continental climate
• Original core plantings along the left bank of the Tanaro River near Govone in Piedmont
• Moderate disease resistance but susceptible to mildew in wet conditions

Wines from Bonarda Piemontese are medium to full-bodied with a deep ruby to purple color. The palate is fruit-forward, centered on cherry, plum, and wild berry flavors, with floral and spice notes adding complexity. Tannins are soft and the acidity is moderate, making these wines approachable even in youth. Some styles are made in a slightly frizzante, or lightly sparkling, format. Because the variety is rarely bottled as a single varietal, its character most often appears woven into blends with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Croatina.

• Deep ruby to purple color; medium to full body with soft tannins and moderate acidity
• Flavors of cherry, plum, and wild berry with floral and spice notes
• Some styles produced as slightly frizzante, or lightly sparkling
• Most commonly encountered as a blending grape rather than a standalone varietal

Few grape names cause as much confusion as Bonarda. Bonarda Piemontese is a distinct variety from Croatina, which is called Bonarda in Lombardy's Oltrepò Pavese DOC, and from Uva Rara, which carries the Bonarda name in parts of Piedmont. Most significantly, Argentine Bonarda, one of that country's most planted red grapes, is not related to Bonarda Piemontese at all. Argentine Bonarda is genetically identical to Douce Noir, also known as Charbono. Understanding these distinctions is essential for navigating Italian wine labels and study materials accurately.

• Croatina is called Bonarda in Lombardy's Oltrepò Pavese DOC, creating persistent label confusion
• Uva Rara carries the Bonarda name in parts of Piedmont despite being a separate variety
• Argentine Bonarda is genetically identical to Douce Noir (Charbono) and unrelated to Bonarda Piemontese
• Bonarda Piemontese is registered under several regional synonyms including Bonarda di Chieri and Bonarda Novarese

Bonarda Piemontese holds permitted status in two prestigious Piedmontese DOCGs: Gattinara and Ghemme. In both appellations, the variety plays a secondary role to Nebbiolo, contributing color and soft fruit character to the blend. Beyond Piedmont, the spread of Bonarda plantings into Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna reflects its adaptability, though it remains a minor player in those regions as well. In the 21st century, Bonarda Piemontese is considered a regional curiosity rather than a commercial driver.

• Registered permitted variety in Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG in Piedmont
• Also found in Lombardy (Oltrepò Pavese DOC) and Emilia-Romagna
• Plays a blending role alongside Nebbiolo in northern Piedmontese DOCGs
• Considered a regional curiosity with scattered plantings in the contemporary wine landscape