A simple and fruity wine that I think is more suitable for immediate enjoyment than overdone analysis. For this wine I therefore avoid writing tasting notes. Enough to say that I enjoyed it in its simplicity. Maybe that’s how wine should be: just fermented juice.
This Gutturnio Frizzante is a blend of Barbera and Bonarda produced by Cantina Manzini under the denomination Gutturnio DOC.
Barbera is a well know grape, Bonarda less so. Bonarda is actually the name used for Croatina grapes in the Emilia region of Italy, where the Gutturnio DOC is located. As the name implies, Croatina originated in Croatia. Not to be confused with the Bonarda Piemontese, which is a different grape.
The Gutturnio DOC was introduced only in 2010 to the hilly vineyards south of Piacenza, in western Emilia-Romagna. It applies to red wines, both still and frizzante. Barbera must account for 55-70% of the blend, with Croatina/Bonarda contributing 30-45%. The two varieties combine to create a relatively soft, well-rounded red wine with cherry like aromas.
For this bottle I paid 6.29 EUR at a supermarket in Italy, while walking the 1’000 km of the Via Francigena from Aosta to Rome. It was the most expensive bottle on offer.
Country: Italy
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Grapes: Barbera, Bonarda/Croatina
Type: Red
Vintage: 2018
Producer: Cantina Manzini
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5