The red grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Bonarda, Bonarda di Gattinara, Bonarda di Rovescala, Bonarda Grossa, Bonarda Pignola, Crevatizza Rossa, Croata, Croatina Comune, Croato, Croattina, Crovattina, Crovattino, Crovattone, Crovettina, Crovettino, Fresia, Karbonera, Kroatina, Nebbiolo di Gattinara, Neretto, Spanna di Ghemme, Spanna-Nebbiolo, Uga del Zio, Uva delle Zia, Uva del Zio and Uva Vermiglia. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the Bonarda Piemontese, Hrvatica, Nebbiolo or Uva Rara varieties. According to DNA analysis carried out in 1999, there is no relationship with the Croatian variety Hrvatica, despite the fact that the name has the same meaning. Croatina is a parent of the varieties Ervi (new variety), Bonardina and Ruchè (both natural crosses).
The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to powdery mildew but sensitive to drought. It yields colourful, tannin-rich red wines with a fruity aroma. It was mentioned towards the end of the 19th century in the Oltrepò Pavese area, where it and the DOC wine made from it are called Bonarda. The variety is permitted in the DOC wines Colli Piacentini and Colli di Parma (Emilia-Romagna), Bramaterra, Cisterna d'Asti, Colline Novaresi and Colli Tortonesi (Piedmont) and Oltrepò Pavese (Lombardy). It is grown on 2,695 hectares of vines in Italy and 16 hectares in Argentina. In 2016, a total of 2,695 hectares of vineyards were designated (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
