Charbono

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Charbono is a grape variety found in California. It is not very common in California, but is the second most commonly grown variety in Argentina, where it is known as Bonarda (which is not the same as the Bonarda Piemontese varietal). The wine made from charbono tends to be dark, with medium to high tannins and acidity.

After genetic testing conducted by Carole Meredith, it was determined to be the same grape as the grape known as Corbeau, Douce Noire, or Charbonneau in the Savoie region of France; but in spite of repeated references, it is probably not related to Dolcetto of the Piedmont. Both varieties produce prodigious quantities of large clusters of very dark grapes, but Dolcetto ripens early and produces light, fruity wines with limited aging potential. Charbono ripens quite late and produces wines of great substance, with significant aging potential. It is likely that this confusion arose because an Italian synonym for Dolcetto is "Dulce Nero" which translates to "sweet black," as does the french name "Douce Noir" for Charbono.

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