Ιn the village of Aniane, in Languedoc, winegrower Jean-Pierre Venture at Mas de la Seranne was quick to take an interest in the way vineyards cope with climate change, drawing on expert advice and insight. “In 2007, I planted Grenache on 418 and 103 Paulsen rootstocks to slow down the ripening process, and in 2012 I planted my first late-ripening cultivars, Counoise and Morrastel”, he recounts.

Subsequently, he decided to push the boundaries further, setting aside 2 of his 18 hectares to trial a dozen or so late-ripening grape varieties designed to ripen at lower alcohol levels (below 14% ABV at phenolic ripeness) in 2018. “I chose 110R for two Italian cultivars – Montepulciano and Nero d’Avola – and two Greek varieties, Agiorgitiko and Assyrtiko. I also planted some heritage varieties like Terret blanc, Piquepoul noir, Rivairenc and some more Morrastel, using Carignan as a control”.

In 2021, Venture managed to secure a place for the experimental block showing good vine vigour in a study by the Hérault Chamber of Agriculture which aimed to produce insight into red Mediterranean varietals in a bid to change production specifications for the regional appellation. “Up to a maximum of 10%, this provided me with the opportunity to incorporate the fruit into my wines without losing eligibility for the Languedoc appellation”, explains the winegrower.

Venture successfully instils freshness and complexity in his wines by vinting the early and late-ripening varietals together and by harvesting grape varieties he is more accustomed to – such as Carignan and Cinsault – at different dates.

Source: Vitisphere