Bonarda (bo-NAR-da)

Second most popular variety in Argentina after malbec. Though called bonarda, this grape is not the same as the relatively rare indigenous Italian variety bonarda piedmontese grown in Piedmont. Rather, Argentine bonarda has been shown to be the French grape douce noir (“sweet black”) which originated in the Savoie region of France. In France, the grape is also known as corbeau (meaning “crow,” a reference to the grape’s black color), and charbonneau which was shortened in California to charbono. (Cult followers of California’s now rare charbono will be happy to know they can switch to Argentine bonarda).