Bored of the same old grapes and looking to excite your palate and impress your friends with something new? Pick up a bottle of Santa Julia Bonarda from Familia Zuccardi. The second most widely planted red grape in Argentina, Bonarda was brought to South America by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. Somewhat cloaked in mystery, its true identity (either what's known as Bonarda or Charbono in the home country) will be revealed only with time and DNA testing!
Tasting Note: A deep and intense violet in colour with loads of ripe red berries and cherries on the nose. Pleasant hints of spice carry through to the balanced and easygoing palate, which shows good development, sweet juicy tannins and a long finish.
Enjoy With: This is the ideal partner for gourmet burgers or pizza.
Style: Dry, fruity, medium-bodied red wine.
Terroir / Region: The desert locale of the Santa Rosa vineyards, located 85 kilometres to the east of Mendoza and its Andean slopes, has been planted to vines using complicated irrigation systems and deep wells. The site was purchased by Zuccardi in 1973 and allows them to grow warm-climate varietals that need a little more warmth to ripen than their high-altitude vineyards offer.
Producer: Familia Zuccardi is well-known in Ontario as the producer of the wildly popular Fuzion line. A third-generation, family-owned winery, Zuccardi is committed to using as much manpower and as little machinery in the vineyards as possible. In many cases, whole families are employed and have been since the vineyards were first planted. Santa Julia is Zuccardi's signature brand and takes its name from director José Alberto Zuccardi's only daughter.
Availability: 250 cases will be officially released Saturday, March 6 in Vintages. But check the LCBO website, since some stores' shelves are already stocked. Find it in the Argentina/South America section.
13.5% Alcohol/Vol. | 750 mL | #141366
Remember your reusable shopping bag & please enjoy responsibly.
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