Bonarda Cuvée 18, Romagnoli Passimento – Rich, Bold Red from Emilia-Romagna

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.