Just a question

[Drew]

Charbono
[shar-BOH-noh]
An uncommon red-wine grape grown in California's napa valley and mendocino county. Charbono wines are very dark in color, lackluster in flavor, and tend to be both tannic and acidic. Charbono is thought to have links to Corbeau (or Charbonneau), a rare French variety.

Type of wine: Bold, powerful red.

Origin: Thought to have originated in the Savoie region of France, some believe Charbono to be identical to the Dolcetto grape of Piemonte and, in fact, it is found there in both Dolcetto and Barbera vineyards. However, no wine labeled Charbono is produced in Italy. In California, it dates to the 1880s.

Description: Dark, almost opaque purple color with a distinctive aroma of Damson plums accented by nuances of tar, black pepper and old leather. A full-bodied palate with pronounced, but well-integrated tannins give it a rich texture and long finish.

Aging: Refinement develops over five to ten years, although the best Charbonos can age up to 20 years and develop a nobility of bouquet and flavor.

Best location: The vine does best in warm-to-hot climates where nighttime temperatures drop dramatically, facilitating acid development and retention. Small, old vineyards in Napa and Mendocino counties are the major sources of fruit in California.


The above was found on the net. My take on the grape is it produces wines that are tannic, rustic and acidic...have had a few and don't care for them. I have read that there is fewer than 100 acres planted world wide of the grape.
Other than this site go to http://www.wineloverspage.com/ there is a lot of info there geared for the wine newcommer.

Drew