Bonarda: a new Malbec?

December 21, 2010

Argentinian producers seek to position it as a variety that sets the Argentinian terroir apart. Following Malbec, it could emerge as a new star among red varieties.
“Elastic”. Winemakers use this word to define Bonarda, a red variety that used to be employed only for common wines but through low yields in the vineyard and modern winemaking techniques has become a valued varietal for premium wines and even for products with as much as 7 years of bottle aging potential. In fact, 2008 could be remembered as the year of the “re-discovery” of Bonarda, as exports of wine produced with this variety rocketed.
According to MRT data, “the monthly volumes exported were around 5000 to 6000 cases, but September broke the record with a volume higher than 8000 cases of Bonarda, while October reinforced the upward trend with a peak of over 18000 cases exported.” Even though it is still far from Malbec’s position, Argentina’s Bonarda is being warmly welcoled by consumers in the United States, Brazil, Norway, Canada, Finland and the United Kingdom, the first six destinations for this varietal.
The turning point

Some brands have become the most successful cases. Nieto Senetiner was the winery that triggered the turning point by making a super premium Bonarda wine. Roberto González, the company’s chief winemaker, claims that the winery was among the first ones to discover the virtues of this grape in 2001, with wines produced exclusive for the British market.
“Bonarda is very similar to Malbec, although it is characterized by a low tannic concentration. Moreover, it does never reach the high alcohol content of a Malbec. Bonarda wines are around 13 degrees.” The winemaker argues that the acceptance of Bonarda among Brazilian consumers and US consumers is a product of their Italian immigration. “In fact, there is Bonarda in Italy, but there is a discussion about whether it is the real Bonarda or not,” González comments.
Nieto Senetiner makes a Super Premium with this variety: Bonarda Partida Limitada, Late Harvest, included in the Don Nicanor line as well as another varietal: Nieto Senetiner Bonarda. “This wine sells quite well in the domestic market, but it lags behind the other traditional varietals in Argentina, although it has surpassed Merlot. In terms of exports, it is still behind Cabernet and Syrah but it will eventually climb up,” González predicts.
The most sold
In the export ranking of Premium Bonarda, Altos Las Hormigas concentrates 22% of FOB turnover with its Colonia Las Liebres brand. Carlos Vázquez, the director of the company founded by famous Italian “flying winemaker” Alberto Antonini, explains that it is an oak-less wine made from a “blend of grapes” from areas such as El Mirador, Agrelo, Tupungato, Ugarteche and Campamentos. Starting next year, the company will have its own production in Colonia Los Amigos, Luján de Cuyo.
Vázquez comments that they started making top range Bonarda in 2003. That wine earned 92 points in WineSpirit. “We produce few cases, some 17,000, sold at a retail price of around u$s 10. I believe we were successful because the world already knew us, as we had launched our Malbec in 1997,” he affirms.
With regard to Bonarda’s lower acceptance in the domestic market, Vázquez argues that “people look at it as a variety for common wines, but the truth is that Bonarda is very elastic.”
According to his story of the variety, it seems that Bonarda arrived in Argentina as an impure Barbera de Asti, hence it is known in the country as Barbera Bonarda.
Genetically French
The Peñaflor Group hold the first place in terms of FOB share with 25%, with three brands: Fincas Privadas (Andean Vineyards), Las Moras (Las Moras) and Broquel de Trapiche.
Daniel Pi, the Group’s chief winemaker, explains that “Bonarda exports began some five years ago. Before that, few people understood that it was a good variety. When it is well-treated, as Malbec is treated, achieving an appropriate ripening, with a good winemaking process, it produces wines of soft tannins, with lots of strawberry aromas. It is a variety whose optimal ripening point occurs towards the end of the season, with 13.5 degrees.”
An expert when talking about varieties, Pi affirms that the Argentinian Bonarda is not the same as the Italian grape. “According to research conducted by the local University, through DNA analyses, it was concluded that the Corbeau, known as Charbonno in Italy, is genetically identical to the Argentinian Bonarda.”
He adds that the Argentinian grape, as opposed to the European one, can reach a good ripening point. “When fall arrives in the Old continent there is a lot of dew and the grape rots, it has to be harvested earlier, with less alcohol content, hence achieving a different concentration compared to the Argentinian grape,” Pi comments.
Even though he admits that Bonarda is the mother of our common wines, Pi highlights that “it is a very elastic variety, even in vines with more kilos per hectare it can achieve lots of color, wines that are easy to drink. When yield is reduced, even in warmer areas, it produces concentrated wines that may be sold at higher prices.”
Source: http://www.winesur.com/news/bonarda-a-new-malbec
Are these articles useful for enhancing your wine and dine experience in the Philippines. Do they also help you with travel, leisure, vacation, dining out, nightlife and other leisure activities plans in Manila and other major cities of Philippines? Yats Restaurant hopes to provide you with ample information so you can plan your trips to Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone whether you are travelling from Manila or other Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Malaysia or Korea.

Restaurant reservations in Manila Philippines, planning of menu, selection of wine for dinner and booking a private function and event in Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone can all be handled. Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar has been regarded by many to be the premier restaurant north of Manila Philippines. Its 3000-line award-winning restaurant wine list has kept many wine lovers happy dining in this restaurant in Angeles City Clark Philippines for over a decade.

Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar was built by Hong Kong-based Yats International in 2000 to provide a world-class cozy fine dining restaurant, business meeting facilities and venues for private dinners and functions in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone. Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines was selected for this restaurant because of safety, clean air, absence of traffic and proximity to Manila and Subic.

For comments, inquiries and reservations, email Restaurant@Yats-International.com or call these numbers:

(045) 599-5600 0922-870-5178 0917-520-4401

Http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.

Is there a good restaurant in Angeles City that serves not only great steaks and seafood but also really fine vegetarian cuisine also? The answer is yes and the name of the best restaurant in Angeles City for vegans and vegetarians to dine out is Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar located inside Mimosa Golf Estate in Philippines Clark Freeport.







View/Hide Sitemap
Mimosa Golf Estate, Clark Field (Clark Airbase), Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines
Tel: (045) 599-5600 0922-870-5194 0917-520-4401 Ask for Daniel, Lito or Cosh

Banquet, Events and Functions, Manila Sales Office 3003C East Tower, Philippines Stock Exchange Center
Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: (632) 633-1566 ask for Rea or Chay


About Us
Culinary Team
Awards
Customer comments
About Clark and Angeles City Pampanga
Menu
A la Carte Menu
Prix Fixe (Set Menu)
Vegetarian
Other Menus & Specials
Wine List
Award-Winning Wine List
Wines for Everyday Enjoyment
Facilities Tour of Restaurant
Wine Cellars
Magnum Room Wine Lounge
Burgundy Room Private Dining
Wine Tasting Room
Bordeaux Room
Reservations & Inquiries
Reserve a Table
Function, Party and Event
General Inquiry
Getting to Yats Restaurant
Events & Happenings Reciprocal Membership
Contact Us
Map and Direction
Contact Information
Contact Form
Submit a Resume