Four new grapes have been approved for Bordeaux

By Mary Malik

Last month we talked about the six grapes approved for inclusion in classic red Bordeaux wines. In 2020, after more than 100 years, four more grapes have been added to the list. After a decade of researching and testing grapes, the four additions include Touriga Nacional, a Portuguese varietal; Marselan, a grape originating from southern France, which also excels in China; and two obscure grapes, Arinarnoa and Castets.

“So, what do these four new additions have in common?” asks Jim Sperk, of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild. “With climate change creating a situation for grape growers, these are all more heat tolerant than the classic Bordeaux six and will better withstand the growing warmer and drier climate.”

For Bordeaux producers, the answer is to include some of these new grapes, in small increments, to the existing compositions.

“While currently the inclusion of these new grapes for Bordeaux is limited to 10%, the future is uncertain for the ‘classic’ grapes as temperatures are expected to rise across the Bordeaux region,” says Jim. “And other wine- growing areas of the world are taking note.”

Wine producers worldwide are excited by the additions and happy to see winemakers in the Bordeaux region leading the charge, adapting and innovating.

“French wine experts say that other French and also Italian regions are discussing introduction of new varieties,” says Jim. “Finding answers to the effects of climate change is of great interest to growers and producers worldwide.”

For information on the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, contact Jim Sperk at tinymoonwines@usa.net.