Have You Met "BO?"

"I am the next big thing," declares "Bo," AKA the grape varietal Bonarda that is making a major splash in today's wine industry.

 

 

 

So without further adieu, let me introduce to you our new friend, Bo! Bonarda comes to us from the region of San Rafael, Argentina. It is originally from France, where it is referred to as Douce Noire. Bonarda is currently Argentina's second most planted variety after Malbec, and was once the #1 most widely planted. After a few years of allowing Malbec to take the spotlight and declare itself as Argentina's King, Bo is back and is returning for its throne!

 

 

 

So why did Bonarda take a break from the spotlight for so long? Well, the reason has to do a lot with marketing. Over the years, the plantings of Bo have gone from 500,000 to 47,000 acres. While Bonarda was still trying to find its niche in the market, Malbec's popularity was reaching all-time highs. However, unknown to many, for many years Bonarda has been the traditional table wine of Argentina. It is the last varietal harvested there and is aged for little or no time, and intended to drink young. Now Bonarda is hitting the Florida markets hard and can even be found in Publix locations at an extremely affordable price!

 

"Friends don't let friends drink Malbec," says Bo.



Bonarda has some very interesting profile characteristics. The very young, no oak-aging wines such as "EH19" are extremely perfumed and earthy on the nose. With younger vines, they tend to really capture the essence of the upper portion of the soils and rock. Late to ripen, this juice tends to have high sugars and high acids, and pairs very well with everyday foods.

Moving along, there is "Via Blanca," which is a softer version of EH19. This wine comes from vines which are a bit older so it's profile is more developed and mellow.

Ending with "Iccarini," a true master of the most elegant qualities captured in Bonarda. With only 6 to 8 months aged in oak, there is a subtle hint of oak that rounds out the entire wine. For those skeptical of this seemingly newcomer, Bo... try this wine and you will be a believer!

Bonarda is a fun, young, consumer-friendly wine meant for drinking now. The price point is reasonable, and the quality is high. Bo truly is the next big thing!

 

 

Don't forget to join FRIENDS OF WINE Wednesday, April 10th as we gather for our last tasting of the semester.

 

CHEERS!