Bonarda Cuvée 18, Romagnoli Passimento – Rich, Bold Red from Emilia-Romagna
Price range: £23.35 through £292.95
Additional information
| Weight | 1 kg |
|---|---|
| Bottle Quantity | 1, 6, 12 |
Overview
Bonarda Cuvée 18 from Romagnoli is a powerful, artisan red wine hailing from Emilia-Romagna in Italy. Crafted from 100% Bonarda grapes, this wine achieves a remarkable 18% ABV through careful late manual harvesting and an extended fermentation process (passimento style) that enhances both body and flavour intensity.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep ruby red with dense colouration.
- Aroma: Pronounced notes of juicy cherry, ripe plum, black fig, and a touch of cinnamon. Subtle hints of dark chocolate, green pepper, and earthy minerality add complexity.
- Palate: Full-bodied and rich, with firm tannins and a smooth, lingering finish. Sweet touches of vanilla complement the fruit and spice.
Production & Viticulture
- Grape Variety: 100% Bonarda.
- Region: Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy.
- Harvest & Vinification:Late manual harvest to maximise flavour and sugar maturity. Grapes are destemmed and softly pressed. A skin maceration of about 6-7 days at a controlled temperature (28-30°C) ensures colour, tannin and aroma extraction. A slow fermentation process brings the wine up to its high alcohol strength.
Serving Suggestions
- Bottle Size: 0.75 Litre.
- Alcohol Strength: 18% ABV.
- Serving Temperature: Best served at 18-20°C. Slightly below room temperature helps balance the alcohol impression.
Food Pairing
This wine’s powerful and rich profile makes it ideal for robust dishes:
- Grilled or roasted red meats (rib-eye steak, slow-roasted beef).
- Game such as venison or wild boar.
- Strong, mature cheeses like Pecorino, aged Parmesan, or blue cheese.
- Spiced Italian dishes with tomato sauce or mushroom ragù.
Why Choose This
- An unusually high ABV (18%) for a single-varietal Bonarda, giving bold flavour without overwhelming sweetness.
- Complex layers of fruit, spice and structure thanks to the passimento style.
- Perfect for wine lovers seeking something intense, character-filled, and distinctive from lighter Italian reds.
Why Choose This
- An unusually high ABV (18%) for a single-varietal Bonarda, giving bold flavour without overwhelming sweetness.
- Complex layers of fruit, spice and structure thanks to the passimento style.
- Perfect for wine lovers seeking something intense, character-filled, and distinctive from lighter Italian reds.
Storage & Notes
- Store bottles lying horizontally in a cool, dark place (12-15°C).
- Decanting for 30 minutes before drinking is recommended to fully open up the aromas.
Donzella Answers
What You Should Know About This Wine
Helpful insights on serving, pairing and what to expect from this bottle.
🍷 Serving • Pairing • Style
Real questions our customers ask.
What makes Bonarda Cuvée 18 from Romagnoli distinctive among Italian red wines?
This red hails from Emilia-Romagna and is crafted from 100% Bonarda grapes using the passimento style, a late harvest and extended fermentation method that pushes the alcohol level up to an intense 18% ABV. The result is a full-bodied, richly textured wine with deep ruby colour and complex aromas of cherry, plum, fig, cinnamon, and subtle earthy notes, offering a bold yet balanced drinking experience.
How does Bonarda Cuvée 18 taste on the palate?
On tasting, expect an intense, full-bodied profile with firm tannins balancing ripe black fruits like cherry and plum, layered with hints of dark chocolate, green pepper, and vanilla. The wine finishes smoothly with a lingering richness that complements its spiced character and substantial structure.
What dishes should I pair with Bonarda Cuvée 18 to get the best from this wine?
Given its power and richness, this Bonarda is superb with hearty, flavourful foods such as grilled or roasted red meats like rib-eye steak, game dishes including venison or wild boar, and mature Italian cheeses such as aged Pecorino or blue cheese. It also pairs well with robust Italian recipes featuring tomato sauces or mushroom ragù, where the wine’s spice and body can stand up to intense flavours.
Can you share a little about the heritage or production style behind this Bonarda?
Bonarda Cuvée 18 reflects the artisanal winemaking traditions of Emilia-Romagna where producers have refined the late-harvest, passimento technique to enhance the grape’s natural richness and complexity. This method—long used in the region—helps showcase the Bonarda variety’s capacity for boldness and depth, allowing the wine to harmonise beautifully with regional cuisine and stand out as a distinctive expression of this Italian territory.