Region: Lombardia
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Bonarda dell’Oltrepo Pavese DOC
Established in 2010 as a separate DOC and was included as part of the Oltrepo Pavese DOC prior.
Primary Grape Varietals: Varietal wines of at least 85% Croatina with potential blending partners of Barbera, UVA Rara and/or Vespolina. Bonarda is a well known varietal of Argentina but this is not the same grape or wine. It gets more confusing as the DOC carries the Bonarda name with wines produced from Croatian. In the nebbiolo regions of Ghemme and Gattinara, Bonarda is a varietal that is blended with Nebbiolo and referred to as Bonarda Piemontese. Fruity wines with a spicy bite and best drunk young.
Pairs with: Medium to medium plus in intensity, these wines offer an interesting and somewhat complex wine that marries well with pasta, lasagna, salumi, pork and grilled meats.
Characteristics: The wines are fruity with minor floral notes and medium spice. Medium to light body with relatively rustic tannins and flavors of cherry, blackberry and black pepper. The wines are fruity and deep in color, indicative of the thick and dark skinned varietal.
Serve: Room Temperature
Croatina is the primary indigenous grape in this region and a red wine in the DOC or Bonarda Dell’Oltrepò Pavese is made with at least 85% Croatina. In other words, they are varietal blends of the Croatina varietal and can be blended with Barbara, Uva Rara or Vespolina. Within the wine laws of the DOC, there are no aging requirements nut there are the normal minimums for Alcohol such as 9% for frizzante versions and 12% for Rosso Tranquillo – a still wine.
Croatina is an ancient varietal that is said to have originated in this region and is highly resistant to mildew that can affect other varietals. It is most widely planted in Lombardia but appears in Emilia Romagna as a blending grape. Croatina is also known as Bonarda in some areas and thus the wine takes that name. However, it is not the same as a bonarda grape that can be found in Piemonte.
The Oltrepò region is also known for the plantings of Pinot Nero and both varietals enjoy the microclimate of the Po river that allows for the high altitude, steep slopes with warming effects from the plains and river. The wines are vinified in both stainless steel with frizzante versions made with the charmat method.
The wines are fruity with minor floral notes and medium spice. Medium to light body with relatively rustic tannins and flavors of cherry, blackberry and black pepper. Medium to medium plus in intensity, these wines offer an interesting and somewhat complex wine that marries well with pasta, lasagna, salumi, pork and grilled meats.
The Uva Rara grape adds the spice to the wine and the local area is said to add spice to Lombardia from a viticultural perspective. In addition to the Bonarda, many of Italy’s best pinot noirs and sparkling wines from this region.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Bonarda dell’Oltrepo Pavese DOC
Established in 2010 as a separate DOC and was included as part of the Oltrepo Pavese DOC prior.
Primary Grape Varietals: Varietal wines of at least 85% Croatina with potential blending partners of Barbera, UVA Rara and/or Vespolina. Bonarda is a well known varietal of Argentina but this is not the same grape or wine. It gets more confusing as the DOC carries the Bonarda name with wines produced from Croatian. In the nebbiolo regions of Ghemme and Gattinara, Bonarda is a varietal that is blended with Nebbiolo and referred to as Bonarda Piemontese. Fruity wines with a spicy bite and best drunk young.
Pairs with: Medium to medium plus in intensity, these wines offer an interesting and somewhat complex wine that marries well with pasta, lasagna, salumi, pork and grilled meats.
Characteristics: The wines are fruity with minor floral notes and medium spice. Medium to light body with relatively rustic tannins and flavors of cherry, blackberry and black pepper. The wines are fruity and deep in color, indicative of the thick and dark skinned varietal.
Serve: Room Temperature
Croatina is the primary indigenous grape in this region and a red wine in the DOC or Bonarda Dell’Oltrepò Pavese is made with at least 85% Croatina. In other words, they are varietal blends of the Croatina varietal and can be blended with Barbara, Uva Rara or Vespolina. Within the wine laws of the DOC, there are no aging requirements nut there are the normal minimums for Alcohol such as 9% for frizzante versions and 12% for Rosso Tranquillo – a still wine.
Croatina is an ancient varietal that is said to have originated in this region and is highly resistant to mildew that can affect other varietals. It is most widely planted in Lombardia but appears in Emilia Romagna as a blending grape. Croatina is also known as Bonarda in some areas and thus the wine takes that name. However, it is not the same as a bonarda grape that can be found in Piemonte.
The Oltrepò region is also known for the plantings of Pinot Nero and both varietals enjoy the microclimate of the Po river that allows for the high altitude, steep slopes with warming effects from the plains and river. The wines are vinified in both stainless steel with frizzante versions made with the charmat method.
The wines are fruity with minor floral notes and medium spice. Medium to light body with relatively rustic tannins and flavors of cherry, blackberry and black pepper. Medium to medium plus in intensity, these wines offer an interesting and somewhat complex wine that marries well with pasta, lasagna, salumi, pork and grilled meats.
The Uva Rara grape adds the spice to the wine and the local area is said to add spice to Lombardia from a viticultural perspective. In addition to the Bonarda, many of Italy’s best pinot noirs and sparkling wines from this region.
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