It's all change in France's south, while one Italian wine region is cautiously cheerful about global warming.

Provence reviews trial grape varieties

Winegrowers in Provence gathered last week in the town of Arcs sur Argens, in the Var (Côtes de Provence), to discuss their experiences with trialing new grape varieties in the region. The trials are part of a bid to counter the effects of climate change in the vineyard with growers experimenting with drought and disease-resistant grapes, both autochthonous and foreign.

According to wine news website Vitisphere.com, the trials covered "the classic Grenache and Cinsault, seven foreign varieties (Calabrese, Agiorgitiko, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Pinotage, Zinfandel and Mavrud), 12 local varieties (Mourvaison, Téoulier, Carignan Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Barbaroux, Clairette Rosée, Plant Droit, Colombaud, Counoise, Brun Fourca and Rousseli), two new additions (Mourvèdre Blanc and Mourvèdre Gris), 25 southern French hybrids and 13 clones of Cinsaut".

Many of the grapes are permitted in the regional register for the Côtes de Provence appellation with Agiorgitiko, Calabrese, Moschofilero, Verdejo and Xinomavro already allowed albeit with the express authorisation of the regional authorities.

Given the heatwaves and drought conditions seen across much of France this year, many of the findings covered drought-resistance. Calabrese, for instance, reportedly fared well, despite extended hot, dry conditions and "three instances of temperatures exceeding 40^oC [104^oF]".

Rousseli, also known as Rosé du Var, also fared well, despite its high alcohol levels and often low levels of acidity. The variety had been dropped from the official list of permitted grapes in the region back in 1986.

"Studies have shown it is well adapted to climate change," said regional viticultural advisor Clémence Boutfol of the variety. "Paving the way for the re-registration of a clone in the official catalogue of grape varieties and its reintegration as accessory grape variety in the appellation this year."

Mourvèdre Blanc and Mourvèdre Gris – both derived from spontaneous (naturally occurring) mutations of the red wine Mourvèdre variety in the Côtes du Rhône – also show promise. Aïssatou Diedhiou (also a local viticultural advisor) told attendees the varieties would be put forward to the official catalogue of permitted wine grapes.

Source: Wine-Searcher

Author: Oliver Styles

Credit Photo: Allwinestories