Uva Rara

The red grape variety comes from Italy. Synonyms are Balsamea, Balsamea Nera, Balsamina, Balsamina Nera, Bonarda, Bonarda a Grandi Grappoli, Bonarda di Cavaglià, Bonarda di Gattinara, Bonarda Novarese, Foglia Lucente, Martellana, Oriana, Orianella, Oriola, Raione, Rairone and Rara. The parentage (parenthood) is unknown. It must not be confused with the varieties Bonarda Piemontese or Croatina (Bonarda di Gattinara), despite the fact that synonyms or morphological similarities seem to indicate it. According to the ampelographer Victor Pulliat (1827-1896), its name does not refer to a rare occurrence but to its extremely attractive appearance. According to another version, it derives from the small number of berries per bunch. The late ripening vine is prone to trickle and powdery mildew. It produces light-coloured red wines with rather low acidity and alcohol content. The variety is widespread in Lombardy and Piedmont, where it is registered (often under the name Bonarda Novarese) in DOC/DOCG wines such as Boca, Bonarda dell'Oltrepò Pavese, Bramaterra, Canavese, Fara, Collina Torinese, Ghemme, Lessona, Oltrepò Pavese and Sizzano. In 2016, a total of 197 hectares of vineyards were registered in Italy, with an extremely downward trend (statistics Kym Anderson).

Uva Rara - Weintraube und Blatt

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)

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Uva Rara

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