QINI Charbono
2022, California, USA
About the Wine
Charbono is one of the lost grape varieties – almost. Recent reports indicate there are only about 80 acres of this variety in California. The original cuttings were imported to Calistoga in the Napa Valley from the Savoie region in the French Alps in about 1880. Its original name was Doux Noir, or “soft black,” later called Charbonneau (carbon water). Subsequently, Charbono was wiped out in Europe by the Phylloxera root louse infestation.
Tasting Notes
Opaque and dark purple in appearance, it is amazingly light and lively with flavors of wild berries, caramel, with soft and gentle tannins. The body is light due to the lighter alcohol content really bringing out the grapes characteristics.