Uva Rara is an ancient black grape variety from north-western Italy, associated above all with the winemaking traditions of Piedmont and Lombardy. Its history is documented in nineteenth-century ampelographies, where it also appears under numerous local synonyms, including Bonarda di Gattinara, Bonarda novarese, Rairone, Oriola and Martellana. This wealth of terminology reflects the grape variety’s long history of cultivation, but has often led to confusion with Piedmontese Bonarda and Croatina, which are genetically distinct varieties.
The vine exhibits medium to high vigour and has large, pentagonal leaves, generally five-lobed, with a closed petiole sinus, a slightly blistered upper surface and a cottony underside. The bunch is medium-sized, conical, winged and tends to be loose; the berry, medium or medium-large, is spherical or slightly flattened, with a pruinose, firm, blue-black skin.
The Uva Rara grape is widespread in eastern Canavese, the Biella area, the upper Vercelli and Novara areas, the Tortona area and the Oltrepò Pavese, and is also found in other hilly areas of Piedmont. The wines produced are light ruby in colour, often enlivened by violet hues, with delicate aromas of cherry, raspberry and violet, good freshness, a light to medium body and moderate tannins. The wine is generally ready to drink and pleasant, with a longevity that, in the best examples, can extend to several years. It is interesting both as a single-varietal wine and in blends, including for the production of still and sparkling wines; traditionally, it has also been prized as a table grape and a grape for storage.
